NORTHERN IRELAND

Aviation

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representation she has made to the Secretary of State for Transport concerning an aviation strategy for Northern Ireland.

Theresa Villiers: I have regular discussions with my ministerial colleagues on transportation matters, and in particular the importance of regular flights to the London airports, including Heathrow, which directly benefit business, tourism and the general travelling public in Northern Ireland.

Computers

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) desktop computers, (b) laptop computers and (c) tablet devices her Department has purchased in the last two years.

Michael Penning: My Department did not purchase any desktop computers, laptop computers or tablet devices during the 2011-12 financial year.
	The following items were purchased during the 2012-13 financial year:
	(a) Three desktop computers
	(b) Four laptop computers
	(c) Four tablet devices.

Dementia

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether her Department has a dementia strategy.

Michael Penning: While my Department does not have a dementia strategy, members of staff can avail of workplace support services and occupational health services if they wish to seek advice or support in relation to this or any other health related issue.

Security

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) shootings, (b) bombings, (c) written threats, (d) verbal threats, (e) people leaving home due to threats and (f) punishment beatings have been reported as the work of dissident Republicans in each of the last three years.

Michael Penning: The information requested by the hon. Member is held by the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The hon. Gentleman may wish to write to the Chief Constable about his query.

Visits Abroad

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what her Department's budget was for overseas travel for officials and Ministers in 2012-13.

Michael Penning: My Department does not have a separate budget for overseas travel. While outturn figures for the 2012-13 financial year have not yet been finalised, my hon. Friend may, however, wish to note that expenditure on overseas travel during the year is estimated to have been in the region of £45,000.

SCOTLAND

Devolution

Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the First Minister of Scotland; and what issues were discussed at that meeting.

Michael Moore: My last substantive meeting with the First Minister was on 15 October 2012 when Scotland's two Governments reached agreement on the process to ensure that there is a legal, fair and decisive referendum.

Disclosure of Information

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many officials in his Department were subject to non-disclosure agreements between 2006 and 2010.

David Mundell: No civil servants in the Scotland Office have been subject to a non-disclosure agreement between 2006 and 2010.

Redundancy Pay

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many officials in his Department received payments under a voluntary exit scheme in each of the last five years; and at what total cost in each such year.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not employ staff directly. All staff are assigned to the Office on a secondment type arrangement, principally from the Scottish Government or the Ministry of Justice or on loan from another Government Department who remain the employers. It is these bodies which would operate any voluntary exit schemes.

Scottish Employability Forum

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will (a) publish and (b) place in the Library a copy of the National Delivery Group's paper on recommendations for key areas of action for the Scottish Employability Forum following that body's meeting of 31 January 2013.

David Mundell: Papers relating to the Scottish Employability Forum are published on the website
	www.employabilityinscotland.com
	and the Scotland Office website as soon as they are available.

WALES

Dementia

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether his Department has a dementia strategy.

Stephen Crabb: The Wales Office is not an employer in its own right, and the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) provides employment services on our behalf. Neither the Wales Office nor MOJ have a specific dementia strategy. Staff who take on caring responsibilities are supported by policies on flexible and part-time working and special leave, including career breaks. Staff directly affected are assisted by line managers, the MOJ Occupational Health Service, and the MOJ Reasonable Adjustment Support Service in making adjustments that support the individual in work.

M4

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the funding of an M4 relief road.

David Jones: I have regular discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on a range of issues including the funding of an M4 relief road. The Chancellor and I have both made clear the importance with which we view this project, and we are continuing to work with the Welsh Government to progress it.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Antisocial Behaviour

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to publish an evaluation into the effectiveness of Community Trigger in the pilot areas of Manchester, Brighton and Hove, Boston and West Lindsey and Richmond upon Thames.

Jeremy Browne: A Home Office report on the Community Trigger trials, together with individual reports from each of the trial areas, will be published shortly.

Crime: Industrial Estates

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research her Department has undertaken into the prevalence of crime on industrial estates.

Jeremy Browne: Findings from the 2012 Commercial Victimisation Survey show that around 37% of business premises on industrial estates in the sectors surveyed had experienced at least one incident of crime in the last 12 months. For comparison, across all the premises in the sectors surveyed, 46% of businesses had experienced at least one incident of crime in the last 12 months.
	The 2012 Commercial Victimisation Survey provides information on crimes committed against businesses in England and Wales. The survey covered premises in four sectors; wholesale and retail, manufacturing, accommodation and food services, and transportation and storage. The findings of the survey are available online at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/147935/crime-business-prem-2012-pdf.pdf

Drugs: Misuse

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will bring forward legislative proposals to control the sale of harmful substances known as legal highs from shops and internet sites which are not advertised for human consumption but are bought for human consumption.

Jeremy Browne: We are committed to the full use of existing drug control, consumer protection and medicines legislation to disrupt the sale of new psychoactive substances (NPS) advertised for sale as 'legal high' products in UK communities and online.
	We know that these products often contain a range of substances which include controlled drugs. UK law enforcement have powers available to detain and seize products which they suspect may contain controlled substances.
	Action to restrict drug supply, including illegal NPS, is a priority for law enforcement and the Home Office is working closely with the Serious Organised Crime Agency, Border Force and the police to develop new approaches to identify importers, distributors and sellers of NPS. This activity includes action to close websites advertising illegal NPS; the creation of a multi-agency working group to identify and tackle the trade in NPS by organised criminals; ongoing development of a national intelligence picture; and the publication of Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) practice guidance on NPS for the police.

Sexual Offences: Cumbria

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to open a sexual assault and rape centre in Cumbria; and if she will make a statement.

Jeremy Browne: Sexual assault referral centres are locally commissioned on a collaborative basis by police and crime commissioners and NHS Commissioning Boards. It is for them to determine if such a centre is required.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Apprentices

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to Lord Adonis of 12 July 2012, House of Lords, Official Report, column WA269, on Government departments: apprentices, whether he has considered implementing the Department for Work and Pensions' apprentice clause into his Department's standard contract.

Brandon Lewis: We are currently considering the Department for Work and Pensions' apprentice clause for inclusion into DCLG's standard terms and conditions for future tenders and contracts.

Building Alterations: Planning Permission

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to publish (a) the summary of consultation responses and (b) his response to the consultation on proposed changes to permitted development rights for extensions to homes and business premises in non-protected areas.

Nicholas Boles: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Esher and Walton (Mr Raab) on 1 March 2013, Official Report, column 682W.

Cleveland Fire Brigade

Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what advice his Department has provided to Cleveland Fire and Rescue Authority on the process and effects of mutualisation;
	(2)  what discussions his Department has had with other fire and rescue authorities in the North East regarding the proposed changes in contract at Cleveland Fire and Rescue Authority;
	(3)  whether his Department is planning to conduct further consultation on proposals to allow fire and rescue authorities to contract out the full range of their services;
	(4)  what assessment his Department has conducted of the potential effects of fire service mutualisation and privatisation proposals on (a) existing mutual aid agreements between services and (b) the establishment of mutual aid agreements in the future;
	(5)  whether any legislative reform order brought forward to achieve changes in fire and rescue authorities' contracting will be subject to the affirmative resolution procedure;
	(6)  whether his Department has conducted an impact assessment on proposals to allow fire and rescue authorities to contract out the full range of their services;
	(7)  what the timescale is for the change in contract by Cleveland Fire and Rescue Authority to contract out services to a mutual;
	(8)  whether his Department plans to bring forward primary legislation to allow fire and rescue authorities to contract out the full range of their services;
	(9)  what funding his Department has allocated to support the mutualisation of Cleveland Fire Service.

Brandon Lewis: I refer the hon. Member to my answers of 5 March 2013, Official Report, column 931W, 7 March 2013, Official Report, column 1121W, and of 18 March 2013, Official Report, columns 476-77W, on supporting locally-led mutualisation. It is a matter for individual fire and rescue authorities to assess and decide on whether they want to take up this innovative delivery option.

Council Tax

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much council tax was outstanding in each local authority area in England in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Brandon Lewis: I have today placed in the Library of the House a table showing, for each billing authority in England, the total arrears of council tax outstanding as at 31 March 2012, the latest date for which figures are available. The figures relate to all past years of council tax liability. The figures show that in total, there was £2.36 billion of uncollected council tax across England at that date.
	The data are as submitted by all billing authorities in England on the Quarterly Return of Council Taxes and Non-domestic rates (QRC4) form. Data on the total arrears of council tax outstanding as at 31 March 2013 will be published in the summer of 2013.
	Every penny of council tax that is not collected means a higher council tax for the law-abiding citizen who does pay on time.
	It is important that councils are sympathetic to those in genuine hardship, are proportionate in enforcement and do not overuse bailiffs. However, these figures show that there is a significant source of income for councils, which councils could use to support frontline service or cut council tax bills.

Dementia

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether his Department has a dementia strategy.

Brandon Lewis: The Department for Communities and Local Government does not have a specific dementia strategy. A strategy is in place to support staff experiencing mental health problems in the workplace.
	Staff experiencing symptoms of dementia would also be supported through our existing policy and procedures, which may include a referral to our occupational health provider for a recommendation on the reasonable adjustments required.

Disclosure of Information

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many civil servants in his Department have been subject to non-disclosure agreements in each year since 2010.

Brandon Lewis: All staff are required to adhere to the terms of the Civil Service Code, the Public Interest Disclosure Act and, where appropriate, the Official Secrets Act.
	The information requested is not centrally held. But it is not the general policy of the Department to make payments to staff to stop disclosure.

Emergencies

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the relationship is between his Department and local resilience boards.

Brandon Lewis: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to his previous question on 13 September 2012, Official Report, column 306W.

Families: Disadvantaged

Yvette Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many families have received an intervention from the Troubled Families programme.

Brandon Lewis: In March, my Department published information on the Troubled Families programme, capturing the progress made by each local authority, including the number of families that were being worked with at 31 December 2012 and the number of families turned around at 21 January 2013. This information is available on the Department's website:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/troubled-families-programme-progress-by-december-2012
	Local authorities submitted their most recent Troubled Families programme progress figures to my Department in early April. This information, including the number of troubled families with whom local authorities are working, is currently being analysed and will be published shortly.

Fire Services

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  if he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to allow the mutualisation of fire and rescue services;
	(2)  if it remains his policy that fire and rescue authorities in England will be required to contract out their full range of services.

Brandon Lewis: holding answer 17 April 2013
	I refer the hon. Member to my answers of 5 March 2013, Official Report, column 931W and 7 March 2013, Official Report, column 1121W on supporting locally-led mutualisation. It has not been, and is not, the Government's policy to require fire and rescue authorities to contract out their full range of services.
	I also refer the hon. Member to my letter to him of 15 April 2013; a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

Fire Services: Pensions

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to respond to the Normal Pension Age for Firefighters review, published by the Firefighters Pension Committee in December 2012.

Brandon Lewis: The Normal Pension Age for Firefighters report contains a number of recommendations which I am currently considering carefully. The Government's response will be published shortly.

Home Care Services

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the estimated cost to local government was of (a) providing care to and (b) adapting the homes of people who have difficulties with mobility in the last five years.

Mark Prisk: Through the Disabled Facilities Grant, the Government funds local authorities to provide adaptations to the homes of disabled people to help them to live as independently as possible in their own homes. Local authorities can also contribute towards the funding, details of which are provided to the Department of Communities and Local Government in the annual return authorities complete using the Logasnet system. Central Government funding and local authority contributions since 2008-09 are shown in the following table:
	
		
			 £ million 
			  2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Total 
			 Disabled Facilities Grant (DCLG) 146 157 169 200 672 
			 Local authorities contribution l31 139 137 97 504 
		
	
	Data on local authority contributions towards the Disabled Facilities Grant were not collected before 2008/09.
	It is unlikely that Logasnet collects all the data on the funding local authorities pay towards adaptations.
	Data on local authority care costs for people with mobility difficulties are not collected separately.
	My Department secured £725 million for the grant in the 2010 spending review for the period 2011-12 to 2014-15. In 2011-12 the annual allocation for the grant rose to £180 million, an increase of £11 million compared to the 2010-11 budget of £169 million. The allocation for the grant will increase further to £185 million by the end of the spending review (2014-15).
	Over the last two years, the Government invested an extra £60 million in the Disabled Facilities Grant, bringing the total grant in 2011 12 to £200 million and in 2012-13 to £220 million.

Housing: Construction

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what information his Department holds on reasons for withdrawal of applications for planning consent in relation to self-build properties in the latest period for which information is available.

Nicholas Boles: holding answer 17 April 2013
	This information is not held centrally.

Housing: Co-operatives

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to increase the number of housing co-operatives in the UK;
	(2)  what financial support his Department makes available for housing co-operatives;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the numbers of housing co-operatives in (a) the UK and (b) Scotland.

Mark Prisk: This Government support the spread of strong, financially robust and democratically accountable housing co-operatives.
	The Department for Communities and Local Government does not hold a central register of housing co-operatives in the UK or Scotland. There are currently over 200 housing co-operatives in England registered with the Homes and Communities Agency as providers of affordable housing.
	Housing co-operatives that are registered with the Homes and Communities Agency may be eligible to bid for funding through the Affordable Homes Guarantee, Build to Rent and Custom Build programmes. Funding was also available to Community and Voluntary organisations, which include housing co-operatives, to bring empty homes back into use as affordable housing, as well as from the community led element of the Affordable Homes Programme.
	More broadly, my Department, through the Homes and Communities Agency, continues to engage with the community led sector, including the Confederation of Cooperative Housing, to support them with their plans to expand the sector.

Houses in Multiple Occupation

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will bring forward legislative proposals to repeal section 3(2)(a) of the Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Prescribed Descriptions) (England) Order 2006/1371.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 18 April 2013
	Section 3(2)(a) of the Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Prescribed Descriptions) (England) Order 2006/371 limits houses in multiple occupation which are required to be licensed under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004 to those which are three storeys or more. The Government considers that this condition is appropriate because these houses present greater risks to their occupiers than other houses, in particular in relation to escaping from fires. There are no plans to repeal this section.
	Local housing authorities of areas experiencing problems, with the management of houses in multiple occupation are able, under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004, to bring forward additional licensing schemes for houses in multiple occupation that are not otherwise required to be licensed.

Local Government: Cybercrime

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance his Department issues to local authorities on (a) the resources to spend and (b) the measures to be used to address cyber security concerns.

Brandon Lewis: The National Cyber Security programme has funded a number of training courses and briefings designed to increase understanding of cyber security risks and mitigation strategies among senior leaders within central Government and the wider public sector. Over the past 18 months many representatives from local government have attended these sessions and efforts have been made to proactively engage with this audience via newsletters, networks and fora dedicated to the sector.
	The National Cyber Security programme funding has also ensured that eLearning training created to address cyber security and general information security risks among staff, previously only accessible by central Government, is now freely available to local government organisations.

Local Government: Equal Pay

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local authorities in England have settled equal pay cases in the last three years; and when such cases were settled.

Brandon Lewis: Local authorities are independent employers and, as such, are responsible for the management of their workforces. This includes ensuring that they comply with equal pay legislation. The Department does not collect information on the number or status of local authority equal pay cases.

Local Plans

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will consider extending the timeframe for local authorities to produce local area plans.

Nicholas Boles: The end of the transitional arrangements should not have a dramatic effect on decision-making in England, and we do not intend to extend it. The framework was in full force from the day it was published on 27 March 2012. The specific transitional arrangements of the framework applied only in a small number of tightly defined circumstances—where councils had post-2004 plans and there was only a limited degree of conflict between those policies and the framework.

Non-domestic Rates

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government by how much and what percentage business rates rose in each of the last 20 years.

Brandon Lewis: Details of the total contribution to the national non-domestic rates pool in England in the last 20 years from the local list, the central list and other contributions, are shown in the following table. Year-on-year changes reflect a number of factors such as:
	changes in the rate base;
	the retail prices index adjustment to annual bills; and
	variations in levels of relief granted.
	The Government's commitment to the annual retail prices index cap means that there has been no real terms increase in business rates since 1990. We have also taken a number of steps on business rates. We have:
	temporarily doubled the level of small business rate relief for a further year—making three and a half years in total—so that the higher level of relief will apply throughout 2013-14;
	announced a new measure which will mean that empty new builds will be exempt from empty property rates for up to 18 months up to state aid limits between 1 October 2013 and 31 October 2016;
	simplified the process for claiming small business rate relief by removing red tape;
	introduced business rate relief in the new Enterprise Zones;
	waived £175 million of backdated business rates demands levied on businesses, including some in ports; and
	given local authorities wide-ranging, discretionary powers to grant business rates discounts.
	
		
			  Multiplier (pence) Number of hereditaments (Thousand) Rateable value Local list contribution to the pool Central list receipts Other contributions Total contribution to the pool 
			 1990-91 34.8 — 28,569 9,253 1,016 610 10,879 
			 1991-92 38.6 1,616 29,292 10,601 1,100 463 12,164 
			 1992-93 40.2 1,629 30,990 10,374 1,098 462 11,933 
			 1993-94 41.6 1,630 31,142 10,251 1,095 445 11,790 
			 1994-95 42.3 1,623 30,323 10,255 1,114 548 11,916 
			 1995-96 43.2 1,622 29,678 10,524 1,192 481 12,197 
			 1996-97 44.9 1,623 29,672 11,252 1,221 487 12,960 
			 1997-98 45.8 1,617 29,873 11,617 1,207 469 13,294 
			 1998-99 47.4 1,617 29,707 11,919 1,273 440 13,632 
			 1999-2000 48.9 1,625 29,337 12,383 1,319 332 14,034 
			 2000-01 41.6 1,632 37,770 13,698 868 9 14,575 
			 2001-02 43.0 1,638 39,068 14,778 1,048 12 15,838 
			 2002-03 43.7 1,642 39,607 15,220 1,044 8 16,272 
			 2003-04 44.4 1,647 39,586 15,464 1,029 11 16,504 
			 2004-05 45.6 1,651 39,466 15,853 1,037 10 16,900 
			 2005-06 41.5 1,653 46,280 15,677 1,097 10 16,784 
			 2006-07 42.6 1,663 47,094 16,853 1,148 0 18,001 
			 2007-08 44.1 1,681 47,314 17,138 1,177 20 18,335 
			 2008-09 45.8 1,692 46,888 18,722 1,153 11 19,886 
			 2009-10 48.1 1,698 46,664 19,039 1,171 11 20,221 
			 2010-11 40.7 1,718 56,373 18,924 1,174 11 20,109 
			 2011-12 42.6 1,735 56,824 20,287 1,252 9 21,548 
			 Notes: 1. Data for the number of hereditaments and the rateable value are taken from National non-domestic (NNDR1) forecast returns and are as at 31 December of the previous year, i.e. the number of hereditaments shown for 2004-05 is as at 31 December 2003. The data for local list contribution to the pool are taken from National non-domestic (NNDR3) outturn returns. Both forms are submitted annually by all billing authorities in England. 2. The figures for “Other contributions” include Crown contributions and contributions in lieu of rates for crown properties (CILOR). The large reduction in “Other contributions” from 2000-01 onwards is due to the crown contributions being paid as part of the local list. 3. From 2005-06, the figure shown for the multiplier is the amount that applies to ratepayers benefiting from the small business rate relief scheme. A supplement, which was reassessed each year, applies to other properties to fund the small business rate relief scheme.

Planning Inspectorate: Cumbria

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many staff are employed by the Planning Inspectorate in Cumbria; and what proportion of such staff are paid at or above the relevant level of the living wage.

Nicholas Boles: The Planning Inspectorate employs two staff in Cumbria. Both are paid above the level of the living wage.

Planning Permission

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average length of time taken by the Planning Inspectorate to reach a decision on whether a local development plan is compliant with the National Planning Policy Framework once that plan has been submitted to the Inspectorate.

Nicholas Boles: holding answer 19 March 2013
	The average time taken by the Planning Inspectorate to examine submitted plans following the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework to the issue of a final report is 28 weeks and three days.
	We have produced guidance providing advice on how to carry out a fast track review of specific policies in local plans following the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework. This fast track guidance has been made available to help local councils update the discrete parts of their local plan in around six months:
	http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/planning/planningsystem/localplanspolicy

Property Development: Floods

James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to discourage local authorities from allocating land for new housing in areas of flood risk;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of houses local authorities plan to build in areas at risk of flooding in the next five years.

Nicholas Boles: We are very clear in the National Planning Policy Framework that inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding should be avoided. Local authorities should direct development away from areas at highest risk, but where development is necessary, it must be demonstrated that it is safe and will not increase flood risk elsewhere. Local plans will be examined by an independent inspector to assess, among other matters, whether the plan is consistent with national policy.
	Given the expectations set out in national policy, we do not estimate the number of houses local authorities plan to build in areas at risk of flooding.

Recreation Spaces

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what protection the registration of land in the Queen Elizabeth II Fields in Trust gives against development; and if he will make a statement.

Nicholas Boles: The qualifying criteria for the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge are explained on the Fields in Trust website and indicate that a landowner is expected to enter into a ‘deed of dedication’.
	The protection this affords is additional to the strong protections for open space in the National Planning Policy Framework. The framework also includes a new planning designation to protect green spaces including playing fields which are special to local communities.

Regional Planning and Development

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 10 April 2013, Official Report, column 1165W, on regional planning and development: West Midlands, what weight will be given to the abolished regional spatial strategies and their evidence bases when the Planning Inspectorate considers planning appeals.

Nicholas Boles: holding answer 18 April 2013
	The starting point for determining planning decisions is an up-to-date development plan. Decisions should be made in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
	When the Regional Strategy for the West Midlands is revoked, the development plan across that locality will consist of local plans and where they exist, neighbourhood plans that have been made following successful examination and referendum. The Regional Strategy will no longer form part of the statutory development plan once revoked by Order.
	The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that local plans should be supported by an up-to-date evidence base. The evidence that informed the Regional Strategies may be out-dated especially given the different economic circumstances following the financial turmoil in the last Administration. Each case will depend on its particular facts.

Social Rented Housing: EU Nationals

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for what reasons an EEA national exercising their right to freedom of movement as a self-sufficient person may (a) need and (b) be entitled to social housing.

Mark Prisk: There is no entitlement to social housing.
	European economic area nationals who have a right to reside in the UK on the basis that they are self-sufficient are eligible for social housing, if they are habitually resident in the common travel area (the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland). To be considered self-sufficient, a person must have (i) sufficient resources not to become a burden on the social assistance system of the UK and (ii) comprehensive sickness insurance cover in the UK.
	To be allocated social housing an eligible applicant must also meet the local authority's own qualification criteria and have sufficient priority under the local authority's allocation scheme.
	An allocation scheme must be framed to ensure that certain categories of people are given 'reasonable preference' for social housing, because they have an identified housing need, including people who are homeless, overcrowded households, and people who need to move on medical or welfare grounds.
	The Government want to tackle the widespread perception that the way social housing is allocated is unfair and favours foreign migrants over local people and the armed forces.
	In 2010-11, one in six existing social housing tenants in London were not British or Irish nationals and, across England in 2011-12, almost one in 10 social lettings made to tenants new to social housing were to non-United Kingdom nationals.
	That is why we have announced our intention to introduce new statutory guidance to ensure that local authorities amend their allocation policies so that only those with a well-established local residency and local connections are able to go on the waiting list and qualify for a taxpayer-funded social home. Councils will be required to make exceptions to support members of the armed forces who apply for housing, who may not have established local residency due to the nature of their work.
	https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tough-new-housing-rules-to-control-immigration

PRIME MINISTER

Corporation Tax

Jim Shannon: To ask the Prime Minister what his policy is on devolving power to set corporation tax to the devolved Assemblies.

David Gauke: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Treasury.
	Following the recommendations of the Calman Commission this Government passed the Scotland Act 2012 which transferred a range of fiscal powers to the Scottish Parliament.
	We are currently considering the recommendations made in the Silk Commission's report on devolution of fiscal powers to the Welsh Assembly.
	Following consultation in 2011 a ministerial working group looked at options for rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy including devolution of corporation tax. A final decision will be made in autumn 2014.

Energy

Iain Wright: To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his speech at the launch of the Department for Energy and Climate Change's energy efficiency mission on 4 February 2013.

David Cameron: A copy has been placed in both Libraries of the House.

UK Trade and Investment

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make the necessary changes to the machinery of government to remove responsibility for UK Trade and Investment from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and establish it as a standalone public body with parliamentary oversight.

David Cameron: There are no current plans for machinery of government changes.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

Electoral Register: Scotland

Margaret Curran: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, which parliamentary constituencies in Scotland are part of local authority areas whose electoral registration officers did not reach the required performance indicators on Standard 3 in respect of electors who failed to register to vote.

Gary Streeter: In 2011, 32 constituencies in Scotland were in local authority areas where the electoral registration officer (ERO) did not meet performance standard 3. This standard aims to ensure that EROs make the necessary house-to-house inquiries to ensure that all eligible residents are registered, in line with their legal duty to maintain complete and accurate electoral registers.
	It is essential that voters have confidence in the registration process, and that electoral registers are as complete and accurate as possible, particularly in preparation for the transition to Individual Electoral Registration in 2014.
	In 2012 the Commission reviewed the canvass plans of all EROs in Scotland ahead of the annual canvass, and worked with those who were not meeting standard 3 in 2011 to ensure that arrangements were in place for the necessary house-to-house inquiries to be carried out.
	The Commission will publish its next report on ERO performance in Great Britain in May 2013, and this will reflect the improvements in performance against standard 3 by EROs in Scotland.
	The constituencies in Scotland where EROs did not meet standard 3 in 2011 were:
	Airdrie and Shotts
	Angus
	Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock
	Central Ayrshire
	Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
	Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East (the part of the constituency that falls within North Lanarkshire)
	Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale (the part of the constituency that falls within South Lanarkshire)
	Dundee East (the part of the constituency that falls within Angus)
	Dundee West (the part of the constituency that falls within Angus)
	Dunfermline and West Fife
	East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow
	East Lothian
	Edinburgh East
	Edinburgh North and Leith
	Edinburgh South
	Edinburgh South West
	Edinburgh West
	Falkirk
	Glenrothes
	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
	Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath
	Lanark and Hamilton East
	Linlithgow and East Falkirk
	Livingston
	Midlothian
	Motherwell and Wishaw
	North Ayrshire and Arran
	North East Fife
	Ochil and South Perthshire
	Perth and North Perthshire
	Rutherglen and Hamilton West
	Stirling.

TRANSPORT

Belfast International Airport

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he holds on the reasons for the decision by one airline to refuse to use a runway at Belfast International airport for two days in April 2012 while other airlines continued to use it.

Simon Burns: Airlines have a responsibility to consider their own situation and unique risks in relation to their safety management systems (SMS) and the airline in this case took the decision based on their own SMS criteria for operations at Belfast International airport. The CAA has been in touch with and visited Belfast International airport, and is confident that the airport continues to be safe to operate and we will remain in close touch with the airport to ensure that safety is maintained.

Blue Badge Scheme

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether people whose application for a renewal of a blue badge is turned down have a right of appeal; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Baker: There is no legal requirement for local authorities to have an appeals procedure in place if someone disagrees with the reason why their application for a Blue Badge was not successful. However, Regulation 8(3) of the Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (England) Regulations 2000 requires that a local authority shall explain the grounds of refusal in its decision notice.
	The Government strongly recommends in guidance that authorities establish an internal procedure to deal with appeals against decisions not to issue a badge. Where an applicant is aggrieved not by the eligibility decision of the authority but rather by process failure, they may take their complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman.

Computers

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) desktop computers, (b) laptop computers and (c) tablet devices his Department has purchased in the last two years.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport and its six Executive agencies have purchased the following computers during the financial years 2011-12 and 2012-13:
	
		
			 2011-12 
			  DfTc DVLA DSA VOSA MCA VCA HA Total 
			 Desktops 2 782 0 0 0 40 0 824 
			 Laptops 90 3 0 0 0 37 0 130 
			 Tablets 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			 2012-13 
			  DfTc DVLA DSA VOSA MCA VCA HA Total 
			 Desktops 166 0 0 0 0 0 0 166 
			 Laptops 440 0 0 0 30 15 0 485 
			 Tablets 2 0 38 7 6 1 0 54

East Coast Railway Line

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will keep East Coast Rail in the public sector.

Simon Burns: The Secretary of State set out in his oral statement to the House on 26 March 2013, Official Report, column 1488, that Directly Operated Railways was brought in on the east coast main line as a short-term stand-in. The Government remains committed to benefitting from private sector innovation and operational experience in its railways.
	There is significant investment planned for the east coast main line, including the roll-out of intercity express trains on this route and the Government believes now is the right time to invite private sector bidders to put forward proposals for investing in and improving services on the east coast. This will be the first of the new intercity franchises to be awarded in a franchising programme that meets three essential principles of better service, better compensation and better value.

Electric Vehicles

Yvonne Fovargue: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many charge points have been installed under the Plugged-in Places programme; what proportion of these charge points in each supported place are publicly accessible; what proportion of applications were made by (a) homeowners, (b) local authorities and (c) railway stations; and what the cost of that programme was.

Norman Baker: As at the end of December 2012, the Plugged in Places (PIPs) Programme had delivered over 2,800 chargepoints, of which some 70% were publically accessible. We are currently analysing the end of financial year returns from the eight PIP schemes and early assessment is that to the end of March 2013, 4000 chargepoints have been installed of which approximately 65% are publically accessible and over 50 are rapid chargers (greater than 43kW). The total spend across the programme is estimated to be approximately £10.7m. It is estimated that non-PIP public authorities and private sector organisations may have installed around 5,000 chargepoints. We will be reporting more accurate numbers shortly.
	PIP publically accessible chargepoint data, such as location and chargepoint type, is held in the National Chargepoint Registry available at
	www.data.gov.uk/dataset/national-charge-point-registry
	In February 2013, we launched a number of national schemes to support the rollout of plug-in infrastructure. Initial project bids for the local authority, train station car parks and public body estates schemes are due by 30 April, following which there will be a process of bid assessment. We aim to have agreed successful projects by the end of June. For private residents under the national domestic chargepoint grant scheme launched in February, we have accredited over 25 different types of chargepoint and 11 different suppliers. We expect the first claims to be submitted at the end of April.

Electric Vehicles: Noise

Robert Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to ensure that quiet electric and hybrid buses funded by the Green Bus Fund can be detected by (a) guide dog owners and (b) other vulnerable pedestrians who rely on their hearing to safely cross the road.

Norman Baker: Whether to add noise to electric and hybrid electric vehicles is being considered in the context of the Regulation on vehicle noise currently being negotiated at a European level. Some member states are requesting this to be a mandatory requirement, and I am considering whether to revise our negotiating approach in the light of these developments.

Heathrow Airport

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to announce a decision on expansion of Heathrow airport.

Simon Burns: Last year, the Government set up the independent Airports Commission to examine the scale and timing of any requirement for additional capacity to maintain the UK's position as Europe's most important aviation hub, as well as identify how any need for additional capacity should be met. The Airports Commission will publish its interim report at the end of this year and its final report by summer 2015.

High Speed 2

Ian Paisley Jnr: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the current status is of the High Speed 2 Rail Project.

Simon Burns: Phase One of HS2, from London to west midlands, is currently undergoing detailed design work and we intend to consult on a draft environmental statement shortly. We will be depositing a hybrid Bill by the end of 2013 to seek the powers necessary to construct and operate the first phase of the High Speed 2 route between London and west midlands.
	The initial preferred route for Phase Two of HS2, from the west midlands to Manchester and Leeds, was announced on 28 January 2013. We will launch a public consultation on these options later this year.

High Speed 2

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what fees and salaries were paid to (a) board members and (b) members of the executive committee of HS2 Ltd in the year to 31 March 2013.

Simon Burns: The salaries and fees paid to board members of HS2 Ltd will be published in their annual accounts in June and the salaries of other members of the executive committee, effective at March 2013, will be updated on the Data.gov.uk website in May.

Light Dues

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what subsidy the Commissioners of Irish Lights in the Irish Republic received from levies paid by ships calling at UK ports in the last financial year;
	(2)  what proportion of light dues payments were received from fishing fleets in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales, (d) Northern Ireland and (e) the Irish Republic in each of the last three years.

Stephen Hammond: The Commissioners of Irish Lights' work in the Republic of Ireland continues to be funded under a 1985 cost apportionment agreement. The accounts for the 2012-13 financial year are not yet available. In 2011-12, £10.6 million of the Commissioners of Irish Lights' costs in the Republic of Ireland was funded from light dues paid by ships calling at UK ports
	In 2010, the Irish and UK Governments reached agreement that the Commissioners' work in the Republic of Ireland would be funded from sources there by 2015-16.
	Light dues receipts are not collected on a country basis with the exception of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, but by individual lighthouse authority for the regions for which they are responsible. The following tables provide light dues revenue collection detail by lighthouse authority, as well as those for fishing vessels and their proportions.
	
		
			  Light dues (£) Fishing vessel payments (£) Proportion of payments received for fishing vessel as a percentage 
			 2012-13    
			 Trinity House 79,407,252 161,792 0.2 
			 Northern Lighthouse Board 6,262,977 187,947 3.0 
			 Commissioners of Irish Lights NI 1,043,468 43,724 4.2 
			 Commissioners of Irish Lights RoI 3,822,878 — 0 
			 Total 90,536,574 393,463 0.4 
			     
			 2011-12    
			 Trinity House 81,899,696 168,021 0.2 
			 Northern Lighthouse Board 5,855,820 192,893 3.3 
			 Commissioners of Irish Lights NI 798,264 42,191 5.3 
			 Commissioners of Irish Lights RoI 3,871,331 — 0 
			 Total 92,425,111 403,105 0.4 
			     
			 2010-11    
			 Trinity House 76,181,823 168,081 0.2 
			 Northern Lighthouse Board 6,991,810 214,760 3.1 
			 Commissioners of Irish Lights NI 806,358 42,780 5.3 
			 Commissioners of Irish Lights RoI 3,794,675 — 0 
			 Total 87,774,666 425,620 0.5

Motor Vehicles: Testing

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on transposition into UK law of EU Commission Directive 2010/48/EU, relating to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers.

Stephen Hammond: The UK Government's approach to the transposition to Great Britain of EU Commission Directive 2010/48/EU has been to ensure the UK is compliant with the directive, while avoiding excessive and unnecessary regulation.
	The transposition of Directive 2010/48/EU into the MOT test was completed in full and in this way on the 20 March 2013.

Motor Vehicles: Testing

Steven Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the Government's policy is on EU proposals for harmonised roadworthiness testing.

Stephen Hammond: The UK Government have agreed to a General Approach in the Council of the European Union to more harmonised periodic testing proposals. Negotiations are continuing to secure an effective approach which avoids unnecessary and costly burdens on UK businesses and motorists. I would also refer my hon. Friend to my written ministerial statements to the House of 18 December 2012, Official Report, columns 96-98WS, and 7 January 2013, Official Report, columns 10-12WS.

Motorcycles

Steven Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to promote motorcycling in his transport policy framework as a means of reducing congestion and emissions.

Stephen Hammond: The Government are neutral on whether or not people should take up motorcycling. We recognise that it is a valid form of transport, but we are also aware that motorcyclists account for just 1% of the traffic on our roads, but in 2012, they accounted for 19% of deaths. Reducing the number of motorcyclists killed is a key priority and we aim to do this by creating better and safer conditions for those who choose to ride.

Motorcycles

Steven Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the development of regulations for motorcycle construction through the EU comitology process under EU Framework Regulation 168/2013; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Hammond: The process for supplementing the framework regulation with the technical requirements is through Delegated Acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Lisbon treaty.
	The Government's policy is to press strongly for UK interests in terms of motorcycle construction, environmental and safety requirements to ensure the best deal for consumers and manufacturers. The European Commission has opened a constructive dialogue to establish the requirements and the Department's officials are involved in these negotiations.

Motorcycles

Steven Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of recent developments in motorcycle rider licensing; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Hammond: The most recent developments in motorcycle rider licensing were introduced on 19 January 2013; it is currently too early to assess their impact.

Official Cars: Exhaust Emissions

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether any ministerial vehicles provided by the Government Car Service have had their factory-fitted diesel particulate filter removed.

Stephen Hammond: No Government Car Service vehicles have had their factory-fitted diesel particulate filter removed.

Pay

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria are used in (a) his Department and (b) each public body for which he is responsible to determine which officials receive bonus payments.

Norman Baker: Non-consolidated performance payments in the Department for Transport and its public bodies are awarded to staff based on performance either at an individual, team or organisational level. Payments are made in line with the civil service pay guidance which is published annually on the Treasury website:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/civil_service_pay_guidance_2013_14.pdf

Railways: Standards

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by how many hours passenger rail services were delayed in each of the last five years.

Norman Baker: The delay hours for passenger rail services attributed to incidents for the last five years, as reported on the rail industry's systems, are as follows:
	
		
			  Hours delay 
			 2008-09 204,682 
			 2009-10 191,356 
			 2010-11 207,048 
			 2011-12 194,252 
			 2012-13 203,814 
		
	
	This relatively flat level of delay hours compares with the significant growth in number of train-kilometres travelled over the same period (almost 8% over the period from 2008-09 to 2011-12—the latest year for which figures are available).

Road Traffic: Barnsley

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment his Department has made of the level of congestion on roads in Barnsley Central constituency.

Norman Baker: Estimates of road congestion levels for Parliamentary constituencies are not held centrally.
	We do however hold data at the local authority level on average speeds. The most recent data available covers the period September to November 2012. For this period, the average weekday morning peak speed, on locally managed 'A' roads in the area governed by Barnsley Council, was estimated to be 27.3 miles per hour. The equivalent figure for the whole of England was 24.7 miles per hour for the same three month period.

Roads: Accidents

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road traffic accidents have been recorded on shared spaces in each of the last five years; and how many (a) motorist, (b) cyclist and (c) pedestrian deaths resulted from such accidents in that period.

Stephen Hammond: The information requested is not collected. The shared spaces cannot be identified in the reported personal injury road accident dataset.

Roads: Havering

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fatalities there have been in the London borough of Havering in the last five years as a result of road traffic accidents involving (a) motorcyclists, (b) cyclists and (c) pedestrians.

Stephen Hammond: In the last five years in the London borough of Havering there have been the following numbers of fatalities in road traffic accidents:
	(a) Six fatalities in accidents involving motorcycles, of which five were motorcyclists.
	(b) No fatalities in accidents involving cyclists.
	(c) Nine fatalities in accidents involving pedestrians, of which nine were pedestrians.

Roads: Repairs and Maintenance

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost to his Department of mending potholes on roads within his responsibility was in each of the last five years; and what estimate he has made of the likely cost in 2013-14.

Norman Baker: Funding that is provided to the Highways Agency for maintenance of the motorway and trunk road network which is the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Transport is as follows:
	
		
			 Financial year Funding (£ million) 
			 2008-09 904 
			 2009-10 1,307 
			 2010-11 772 
			 2011-12 809 
			 2012-13 710 
			 2013-14 754 
			 Notes: 1. The 2012-13 is the current unaudited position and is subject to change. 2. The figure for 2013-14 is the current budget and again is subject to change. 
		
	
	This maintenance expenditure covers motorway and trunk road repairs and renewals, including repairs to potholes. It is not possible to break this expenditure down to identify exact costs for pothole repairs. For local highways, which are the responsibility of local highway authorities, the Government announced in October 2010 as part of the Spending Review funding of £3 billion to local authorities in England (outside London) from 2011-12 to 2014-15 for highways maintenance, which can be used for road repairs, including potholes. This funding is not ring-fenced and allows authorities the freedom to develop and implement solutions which best suit their local needs and priorities.
	In addition, and in recognition of the abnormal damage caused by the exceptional winter weather at the end of 2010, the Government provided in March 2011 a further £200 million to local highway authorities in England to repair potholes on the local road network damaged by the severe winter weather.
	The Department for Transport also announced in December 2012 a further £215 million for highways maintenance to be allocated to local authorities over the next two financial years (2013-14 and 2014-15).
	Local authorities are also able to use revenue funding, allocated by the Department for Communities and Local Government through the Revenue Support Grant, for maintaining their local highways.
	The funding for road repairs in London, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are matters for the respective administrations.
	This Government also recognises the need for the improved highways maintenance over the longer-term and has taken action. In April 2011, Ministers announced that we are sponsoring the Highways Maintenance Efficiency Programme (HMEP) to look at longer-term maintenance strategies. This programme is providing practical and adaptable efficiency solutions, so authorities can make more informed local investment decisions to support their local community and economy.
	As part of the programme, an initiative was announced to help assist local authorities deal with potholes on the local highway network. A final report has been published and is available for download from the following web address:
	http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/pothole-review/pothole-review.pdf

Staff

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many days of work were carried out by officials in (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on average in each of the last five years; and what the total salary cost was of officials in each year.

Norman Baker: The number of working days carried out by officials and the total salary cost of these officials in the Department for Transport and its six executive agencies in each of the last five years is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Total working days Total salary cost (£) 
			 2008-09 3,895,785 392,388,103 
			 2009-10 3,851,009 414,256,655 
			 2010-11 3,808,395 418,066,267 
			 2011-12 3,648,968 400,552,180 
			 2012-13 3,604,894 395,433,092 
		
	
	Information for the non-departmental public bodies can be found in their annual report and accounts which can be found at the following links:
	
		
			 Name Website 
			 British Transport Police Authority www.btpa.police.uk 
			 Passenger Focus www.passengerfocus.org.uk/research/publications/passenger-focus-annual-report-and-accounts-20112012 
			 HS2 Ltd http://www.hs2.org.uk/about-hs2-ltd/annual-accounts-corporate-plan 
		
	
	
		
			 Directly Operated Railways http://www.directlyoperatedrailways.co.uk/PDF/DORReportAccounts2012.pdf 
			 Railway Heritage Committee www.railwayheritage.org.uk 
			 Northern Lighthouse Board http://www.nlb.org.uk/theboard/funding.htm 
			 Trinity House Lighthouse Service http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/th/about/funding.html 
			 Disabled Persons' Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) http://dptac.independent.gov.uk/ 
			 Traffic Commissioners and Deputies www.gov.uk/government/organisations/traffic-commissioners 
			 Civil Aviation Authority www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=2474&pagetype=90 
			 BRB (Residuary) Ltd www.brbr.co.uk 
			 Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) www.rail-reg.gov.uk 
			 London and Continental Railways Ltd www.lcrhq.co.uk

Visits Abroad

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's budget was for overseas travel for officials and Ministers in 2012-13.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport and its six Executive agencies had a budget for overseas travel and subsistence for officials and Ministers in 2012-13 of £3,524,196. Provisional figures show that this was significantly underspent.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate Change

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change in his Department's November 2011 paper entitled Estimated impacts of energy and climate change policies on energy prices and bills 2012, what value of costs of climate change policies in 2011 and 2020 will be attributed to (a) household energy bills, (b) business energy bills and (c) general taxpayers.

Gregory Barker: DECC's latest assessment of the impact of energy and climate change policies on energy prices and bills was published on 27 March 2013 and is available online at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/estimated-impacts-of-energy-and-climate-change-policies-on-energy-prices-and-bills
	This shows that the net impact of policies is to help households on average save money on their energy bills, compared to what they would be paying in the absence of these policies. The total monetary savings from policies which help households save energy are expected to more than offset the cost of investing in new capacity and efficiency.
	The impacts of policies on energy prices are presented in tables E1-E3 of Annex E of the report. A number of government policies place the obligation of financing the policies onto energy companies, which is then passed onto the consumer. It is up to individual energy companies to decide how to share the costs among their customers. The simplifying assumption used for DECC's analysis is that costs are spread evenly over each unit of energy consumption that creates a liability for these costs for energy suppliers.
	The analysis assumes that the total support costs of the renewables obligation, small-scale feed-in tariffs and electricity market reform, and the total costs of the EU ETS and carbon price floor are paid around one-third by households and two-thirds by non-domestic consumers—reflecting their respective shares of total electricity consumption. The support costs of the energy company obligation and warm home discount and the supplier costs of smart meters and better billing are assumed to only be paid by household energy consumes—reflecting that these policies are focused on helping households improve their energy efficiency. The costs of the climate change levy and the CRC energy efficiency scheme are only paid by the relevant non-domestic consumers captured by the eligibility criteria for these policies.
	In addition there are a number of policies funded through general taxation, most notably the renewable heat incentive and up to £1 billion capital funding available for the UK CCS commercialisation competition.

Dementia

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department has a dementia strategy.

Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Climate Change does not have a formal dementia strategy. Mental health does however form part of the Department's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy which includes an action to
	“introduce a comprehensive support package for staff with mental health disabilities, including rolling out awareness training and support resources for staff and managers.”
	As part of that action a Mental Health Awareness Workshop was held on 7 December 2012.

Green Deal Scheme

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what opportunities there are for owners of timber frame houses to benefit from the Green Deal.

Gregory Barker: Owners of timber-framed properties are able to access Green Deal finance for any improvement measure recommended in a Green Deal Advice Report for their properties.

Green Deal Scheme

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to which organisations complaints about door-to-door selling of Green Deal packages are directed; and how many complaints have been made to date.

Gregory Barker: Complaints relating to door step selling of Green Deal products, as for any other, are directed to the relevant local authority Trading Standards Service. Neither DECC nor the Green Deal Oversight and Registration Body (ORB) have received any formal complaints to date, nor have any been passed to DECC or the ORB by any Trading Standards Service.

Green Deal Scheme

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change at what stage in the Green Deal process is the Green Deal installer paid.

Gregory Barker: The payment of Green Deal installers will be a commercial matter between the installer and the Green Deal Provider. The Green Deal Code of Practice sets out requirements on providers relating to the prompt payment of installers. There is an obligation to pay suppliers on time in accordance with the Prompt Payment Code. Staged payments, and payments on completion of specified works are encouraged.

Heating

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of reports by the Climate Change Committee which suggest that 2.5 million heat pumps will need to be installed by 2025 and 7 million by 2030 if the UK is to meet the fourth carbon budget.

Gregory Barker: On 26 March, the Department published ‘The Future of Heating: Meeting the Challenge’ which sets out the Government's approach to reducing carbon emissions from heating and cooling in the decades to come. The main document is supplemented by an Evidence Annex which updates the 2050 modelling and explains various scenarios for low carbon heating. These documents confirm the important role that heat pumps are likely to play, alongside other technologies, in supplying low carbon heat in buildings, including within individual homes and as sources of heat for low carbon heat networks. The documents are available at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-future-of-heating-meeting-the-challenge

Heating

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effect on (a) investment, (b) jobs, (c) taxation and (d) the decarbonisation of residential heating of the introduction of the requirement for high efficiency gas and oil boilers when replacing residential heating systems; what evaluation he has undertaken to establish whether similar policies could be used to accelerate the deployment of residential heat pumps; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: On 26 March, the Department published ‘The Future of Heating: Meeting the challenge’ which sets out the Government's approach to reducing carbon emissions from heating and cooling in the decades to come. Chapter 3 of the document deals with heat and cooling for buildings including the impact of existing regulatory requirements, and policy options for the future. The document is available at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-future-of-heating-meeting-the-challenge

Microgeneration

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment his Department has made of the cost to small businesses of achieving accreditation by the Microgeneration Certification scheme.

Gregory Barker: The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is an industry led scheme that provides consumer protection and aims to drive improvements in industry standards for the microgeneration sector. There are a number of certification bodies accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service, operating in a competitive market, which offer certification services to small businesses. MCS has the licence agreement with the certification bodies to provide this service. Certification costs will differ depending on specific circumstances such as the way the business is organised and the competency of installers.
	Such a scheme is essential to tackle mis-selling in a sector where many consumers are unfamiliar with renewable and low carbon heating and electricity generating systems and the Government provide financial incentives.

Overseas Aid

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which projects administered by his Department were Overseas Development Assistance attributable in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and (d) 2013.

Gregory Barker: holding answer 18 April 2013
	The Department of Energy and Climate Change has administered the following projects that are attributable to Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013:
	
		
			 ODA funded out of the international window of the UK's Environmental Transformation Fund in 2010 
			 Project name Spend (£) 
			 Congo Basin and Forest Fund 17,500,000 
			 Climate Investment Funds 227,500,000 
			 Forest Carbon Partnership Facility 5,000,000 
			 Total 250,000,000 
		
	
	
		
			 Project name Spend {£) 
			 International Atomic Energy Agency International Subscription 5,646,421 
			 International Atomic Energy Agency Technical Cooperation Fund 3,369,034 
		
	
	
		
			 ODA funded out of the UK's International Climate Fund Programme in 2011 
			 Project name Spend (£) 
			 Partnership for Market Readiness 7,000,000 
			 Climate Investment Funds 130,921,760 
			 ADB India Solar Loan 2,000,000 
			 International Carbon Capture Storage 19,547 
			 Capital Market Climate Initiative 59,000 
			 Total 140,000,307 
		
	
	
		
			 Project name Spend (£) 
			 International Atomic Energy Agency International Subscription 5,621,447 
			 International Atomic Energy Agency Technical Cooperation Fund 3,662,386 
		
	
	In addition to this, in March 2011, DECC contributed £19 Million to the Chernobyl Shelter Fund, which is managed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on behalf of the international community to assist in the remediation of the site of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.
	
		
			 ODA funded out of the UK's International Climate Fund Programme in 2012 
			 Project name Spend (£) 
			 2050 Calculator 27,616 
			 Climate Investment Funds 86,000,000 
			 Green Africa Power 25,000,000 
			 Climate Public Private Partnership 40,000,000 
			 International Carbon Capture and Storage 49,922,479 
			 NAMA Implementation Facility 25,000,000 
			 Silvo Pastoral Systems in Colombia 15,000,000 
			 Total 240,950,095 
		
	
	
		
			 Project name Spend (£) 
			 International Atomic Energy Agency International Subscription 5,960,600 
			 International Atomic Energy Agency Technical Cooperation Fund 3,458,779 
		
	
	
		
			 ODA funded out of the UK's International Climate Fund Programme in 2013 to date 
			 Project name Spend (£) 
			 Climate Investment Funds 18,000,000 
			 South East Asia Regional Energy Efficiency 49,905 
			 Total 18,049,905 
		
	
	
		
			 Project name Spend (£) 
			 International Atomic Energy Agency International Subscription 5,687,426 
			 International Atomic Energy Agency Technical Cooperation Fund 3,691,464

Secondment

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many staff from each of the six top energy companies were seconded to his Department to work on the development of energy policy in each year for which figures are available.

Gregory Barker: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 25 March 2013, Official Report, column 944W.

Training

Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many away days his Department held in (a) 2005, (b) 2006, (c) 2007, (d) 2008 and (e) 2009; and what the cost was of each such event.

Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Climate Change came into being in October 2008.
	The following data therefore relate to 2008-09 and 2009-10 only.
	Seven events in 2008-09 at a total cost of £13,000;
	43 events in 2009-10 at a total cost of £108,000.
	Individual events and associated costs can be found in the following tables:
	
		
			 2008-09 
			 Away-day venue or provider Number of events Cost (£) 
			 Crowne Plaza London—St James 1 6,360 
			 Middle Aston House 1 3,000 
			 Novas Social Enterprise Ltd 1 2,000 
		
	
	
		
			 One Queen Anne's Gate 1 267 
			 RSA Adelphi Enterprises Ltd 1 802 
			 THE Art Academy 1 800 
			 Wildfowl And Wetlands Trust (Trading) Ltd 1 147 
			 Total 7 13,375 
		
	
	
		
			 2009-10 
			 Away-day venue or provider Number of events Cost (£) 
			 Amanda Jones t/a Pinnacle Consultancy 2 859 
			 Barcelo Stirling Highland Hotel 1 833 
			 Bardis Seabury 1 3,352 
			 Barnett Hill Conference Centre Ltd 1 3,977 
			 Browns Courtrooms 1 2,280 
			 Capital Pleasure Boats 1 3,254 
			 Chillisauce Ltd 2 9,202 
			 Church House Conference Centre Ltd 1 6/503 
			 City Inn Ltd t/a Doubletree By Hilton Westminster 1 2,758 
			 Civil Service Club 1 307 
			 Commonwealth club ltd 1 887 
			 Deganwy Quay Ltd t/a Quay Hotel and Spa 1 677 
			 Events Matter Ltd 1 475 
			 Guoman Hotel Management (UK) Ltd t/a Thistle Hotels 1 3,493 
			 Idenk Ltd 1 9,011 
			 Iridium Hrd Consulting Ltd 1 1,006 
			 Learnlab Ltd 1 2,731 
			 London Hilton on Park Lane 1 5,075 
			 London Portman Hotel Ltd t/a Radisson Blu Portman Hotel 1 10,350 
			 Mairs Thistle Executive Hire Ltd 1 375 
			 Mermaid Conference and Events Centre Ltd 1 2,830 
			 Personnel Training Services Consortium (PTSC) 6 12,471 
			 Photon Exchange Ltd 1 863 
			 RSA Adelphi Enterprises Ltd 1 1,196 
			 Science Museum 1 2,070 
			 Southwark Cathedral Enterprises Ltd 1 548 
			 Tate Enterprises 1 1,953 
			 The Cumberland Guoman Ltd 1 6,648 
			 The Royal Horseguards Hotel Ltd 1 1,462 
			 The Waldorf Hilton 1 827 
			 Thistle Hotel Charing Cross 1 345 
			 W Watson (Retford) Ltd t/a Watson Management Services 1 875 
			 Wallacespace Ltd 2 1,448 
			 Wildfowl And Wetlands Trust (Trading) Ltd 1 1,625 
			 Zoo Enterprises Ltd 2 5,485 
			 Grand Total 44 108,051

United Arab Emirates

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  what the dates, times, attendees and agendas of all meetings held during each ministerial visit to the United Arab Emirates have been since May 2010;
	(2)  when (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have visited the UAE since May 2010; and who attended each such visit.

Gregory Barker: All meetings between external organisations and DECC Ministers are published on a quarterly basis on the DECC website and are available for download at this link:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/accesstoinform/registers/registers.aspx

United Arab Emirates

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will publish the cost of (a) travel and (b) accommodation for all ministerial visits to the UAE since May 2010; and who funded each such aspect of each visit.

Gregory Barker: Details of all overseas visits undertaken by Ministers are published on a quarterly basis on the Gov UK website. The Department's ministerial travel costs are borne by the Department.
	All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?departments%5B%5D=department-of-energy-climate-change&publication_type=transparency-data

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Beaches

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department has taken to ensure that all UK beaches achieve blue flag status.

Richard Benyon: Blue Flag is an independent international award scheme run in England by Keep Britain Tidy. It is for beach operators, usually local authorities, to choose to apply.
	In 2012, 79 Blue Flag were awarded in England out of the 244 bathing waters which met the water quality criteria. Water quality is only one of the four criteria against which applications are assessed.
	From this year, beaches applying for Blue Flag will be expected to have water quality equivalent to the new ‘excellent’ classification under Directive 2006/7/EC (bathing waters). This is approximately twice as stringent as the standard, which was required last year. In the 2012 bathing season 50% of England's bathing waters achieved the 'excellent' standard. The Government's aim is for all bathing waters to achieve the directive's new minimum standard, which itself is approximately twice as stringent as the old minimum standard. This will ensure that resources are focused on ensuring the maximum number of bathers benefit from improved health protection by the 2015 deadline.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent on bovine TB testing in (a) the UK and (b) Shropshire in each of the last 10 years.

David Heath: Financial data which allow the costs of bovine TB testing to be separately identified is not available for the last 10 years. However, figures are available for 2011-12 and 2012-13. The information is not broken down by individual county but is available regionally as shown in the following table:
	
		
			 £ million 
			  2011-12 2012-13 
			 England 44.12 45.53 
			 Of which:   
			 Midlands 14.23 14.05 
		
	
	TB testing is defined as all skin tests and gamma interferon tests.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was paid in compensation to owners of those cattle compulsorily slaughtered for bovine TB control purposes in (a) the UK and (b) Shropshire in (i) 2012, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2010, (iv) 2009, (v) 2008 and (vi) 2007.

David Heath: Responsibility for animal health matters, including compensation for disease affected cattle, has been fully devolved. The total compensation paid by DEFRA to owners of cattle compulsorily slaughtered for bovine TB control purposes in England between 2007 and 2012 is:
	
		
			  £ million 
			 2007 13.6 
			 2008 28.6 
			 2009 30.6 
			 2010 28.6 
			 2011 30.2 
			 2012 34.1 
		
	
	I am not able to provide precise figures on compensation paid to owners of cattle compulsorily slaughtered for bovine TB control purposes in Shropshire between 2007 and 2012. However, reasonable indicative spend figures can be determined by multiplying the number of TB affected cattle slaughtered in the county by the average compensation payment(1) in each of the years. Applying this methodology provides the following compensation spend figures:
	
		
			  £ 
			 2007 732,000 
			 2008 1,520,000 
			 2009 1,394,000 
			 2010 2,367,000 
			 2011 2,600,000 
			 2012 2,316,000 
		
	
	(1) Average compensation payments are derived by dividing the total compensation paid in England by the total number of TB reactors in England. The figures in 2012 are subject to change as more statistical data is received.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects of recent adverse weather on the proposed cull of badgers; whether he plans to revise his Department's impact assessment as a result; and if he will make a statement.

David Heath: The pilot culls will take place during the summer months where we do not anticipate snow and cold conditions will impact on culling.
	Therefore no assessment has been carried out of the effects of the recent adverse weather on the pilot badger culls, and the impact assessment will not be revised.
	We are confident that the recent adverse weather conditions have not had an impact on the number of badgers in the cull area. The badger population estimates are based on a wide range of evidence including new genetic data from hair trapping to create a more accurate and robust estimate of the true badger population.

Compost

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on how many occasions in each of the last five years the Environment Agency has refused to grant a licence for a windrow composting site; and what the reasons were for refusal in each case.

Richard Benyon: In the last five years, the Environment Agency has refused to issue or vary a permit for three composting sites that involved windrow composting as part of their operations.
	
		
			 Refusal date Reasons for refusal 
			 2010 The Environment Agency considered that the applicant would not be able to comply with the conditions of the proposed permit. The applicant failed to provide adequate detail with regard to the proposed operation. 
			 2011 The Environment Agency considered that the applicant would not be able to comply with the conditions of the proposed permit. There were concerns over current operations and management of the existing site. 
			 2012 The operator could not meet the required rules of the standard rules permit as it did not have the appropriate site infrastructure to ensure protection of ground water.

Compost

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many Environment Agency licences have been withdrawn from windrow composting sites in each of the last five years; and what the criteria are for withdrawal of such licences.

Richard Benyon: The Environment Agency has not revoked any permits for windrow composting sites in the last five years.
	The Environment Agency has a range of enforcement powers available where operators are not complying with their environmental permits, ranging from warnings through to formal cautions, to prosecutions and in extreme circumstances, permit revocation. The Environment Agency, where appropriate, would usually issue enforcement notices to secure specific improvements to environmental protection or vary permit conditions before considering a permit revocation. Before finally deciding to revoke a permit, any proposal would be referred to the Environment Agency's Central Assessment Panel, which would look at all the circumstances of the case in the light of the organisation's published Enforcement and Sanctions guidance, available at:
	http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Business/Enforcement_and_Sanctions_Guidance.pdf

Dementia

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether his Department has a dementia strategy.

Richard Benyon: DEFRA does not have a specific dementia strategy. Core DEFRA's attendance management strategy, policy and procedures deal with all aspects of physical and mental health and there is a guide for managers specifically covering mental ill health in the workplace. DEFRA also has special leave and flexible working policies that may be helpful to staff with caring responsibilities.

Flood Control

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 26 March 2013, Official Report, columns 1036-40W, on flood control, if he will publish a breakdown by scheme of all organisations providing external funding contributions.

Richard Benyon: Unless specific permission has been obtained from the organisations in question, the Government do not release the names of organisations that contribute to flood and coastal erosion risk management schemes. In some cases the Government would be in breach of confidentiality clauses if such information were disclosed.
	One example is that Nestle will provide almost £2 million to help deliver a scheme in Derbyshire to better protect the villages of Scropton, Hatton and Egginton from the River Dove. The local community are also making contributions to help fund the £7.1 million scheme. Another example is the £9.7 million scheme at Skipton, North Yorkshire, where £2 million contributed by local authorities and businesses will reduce flooding to over 350 residential and 165 business properties in the market town.

Horse Passports

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many full-time staff work as part of the his Department's Horse Passport team; and how many such staff worked for the team in each of the last five years.

David Heath: Details of staffing levels within the Department's Horse Passport and Zootechnics policy team for this and the previous five years are in the following table:
	
		
			  Total 
			 2013 3.7 
			 2012 3.65 
			 2011 3.35 
			 2010 3.35 
			 2009 3.55 
			 2008 3.55

Litter: Roads

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost was to local authorities in England of (a) collecting and (b) disposing of road sweepings in the latest period for which figures are available.

Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.
	The net current expenditure of local authorities in England on street cleansing in 2011-12 was £731 million. This information is as reported to the Department for Communities and Local Government by all local authorities on the Revenue Outturn form. The Department does not collect more detailed information on this expenditure.

Telephone Services

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 22 March 2013, Official Report, column 854W, on telephone services, whether a UK landline number beginning with 01, 02 or 03 is publicly available as an alternative to the 0800, 0844, 0845 and 0870 numbers in use by his Department and the agencies for which he is responsible.

Richard Benyon: Core DEFRA has one alternative telephone number (0207 238 6951) which is provided for callers to the DEFRA Helpline from outside the UK.
	The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has one 01 number which is available as an alternative to their Non Geographic Numbers (NGNs), but this is not published as its use would bypass the RPA's Major Incident reporting and would mean that the RPA cannot analyse their calls effectively to improve future services.
	Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency has a number of alternative telephone lines, which are currently available on the AHVLA website:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla-en/about-us/contact-us/

Visits Abroad

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his Department's budget was for overseas travel for officials and Ministers in 2012-13.

Richard Benyon: Core DEFRA does not allocate budgets at this level of detail and therefore cannot provide a figure.

Waste Disposal: EU Law

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Environment Agency takes against organisations and sites that are found to have breached the waste framework directive in relation to odours.

Richard Benyon: One of the principal objectives of the European Waste Framework is to protect human health and the environment, including via the prevention of nuisance such as odour from waste treatment operations. This objective is largely delivered in England and Wales through the requirements of environmental permits granted by the Environment Agency to the operators of waste sites.
	The Environment Agency is under a duty to carry out appropriate periodic inspections of permitted sites. Where breaches of the permit or the waste framework directive objective occur, the Environment Agency works with the operator to bring about compliance. Where compliance cannot be achieved, the Environment Agency may exercise its powers and take appropriate enforcement action which includes the suspension and revocation of permits or prosecution. The Environment Agency acts in accordance with its published Enforcement and Sanctions guidance, available at:
	http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Business/Enforcement_and_Sanctions_Guidance.pdf

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Burma

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her Department will spend in 2013-14 to assist internally displaced Kachin people in government and non-governmental controlled areas of Burma.

Alan Duncan: UK assistance to internally displaced Kachin people in government and non-government controlled areas of Burma is currently under consideration for 2013-14. DFID humanitarian aid to people affected by the conflict in Kachin totals £3.5 million. We are the largest bilateral humanitarian donor to Kachin State. This is helping to meet the needs of around 27,000 internally displaced people.

Dementia

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether her Department has a dementia strategy.

Lynne Featherstone: DFID does not have a dementia strategy. The UK health focus in developing countries is to improve the provision of basic health services for the poor by supporting health system strengthening, health, worker capacity and access to essential medicines. Increasing coverage, equity, access and quality will strengthen health services to address all health problems including non-communicable diseases, like dementia.

EU Aid

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the objectives are of (a) the European Development Fund and (b) EuropeAid; and if she will make a statement.

Lynne Featherstone: The European Development Fund finances development assistance in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries and overseas countries and territories with the objectives of reducing and, eventually, eradicating poverty in those countries, and to promote their sustainable development and integration into the world economy.
	The objectives of EuropeAid are to reduce poverty in the world, to ensure sustainable development and to promote democracy, peace and security

EU Aid

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the UK's annual financial commitment is to EuropeAid; and if she will make a statement.

Lynne Featherstone: The UK's contribution towards the General EU Budget for external assistance, of which about 55% is managed by EuropeAid, was £938 million for 2011-12. This is the latest year for which figures are available.

EU Aid

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the UK's annual financial commitment is to the European Development Fund; and if she will make a statement.

Lynne Featherstone: DFID's contribution towards the European Development Fund, which is managed by EuropeAid, was £417 million for 2011-12. This is the latest year for which figures are available.

EU Aid

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much of the UK's contribution to (a) EuropeAid and (b) the European Development Fund counts towards the Government's official development assistance target.

Lynne Featherstone: The UK's contributions to (a) the General EU Budget for external assistance, of which a significant fraction is managed by EuropeAid and (b) the European Development Fund (EDF), which counted towards the Government's official development assistance target in 2011-12 were:
	
		
			  Total contribution (£000) ODA amount (£000) ODA percentage 
			 EU Budget 802,706 710,030 88.5 
			 EDF 417,370 385,582 92.4

Food: Prices

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the potential effect of financial speculation on global food prices.

Justine Greening: The coalition Government recognise the damaging impact of high food prices on consumers in developing countries. Based on our continued assessment of the evidence, we believe that changes in supply and demand, rather than speculation, are the main factors behind the recent spikes in global food prices.

Nigeria

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions officials in her Department have had with the government of Nigeria on aid to that country.

Lynne Featherstone: DFID senior management has regular meetings with the National Planning Minister to review progress on the UK's Country Operational Plan, which was agreed with the Government of Nigeria in 2011. In recent months DFID officials have participated in a World Bank-led dialogue between development partners and Nigeria's Finance and Planning Ministers to agree a joint Country Assistance Framework.
	The Secretary of State for International Development, the right hon. Member for Putney (Justine Greening), had a number of meetings with Finance Minister Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in relation to our joint work on the Global Partnership For Effective Development Cooperation, and as part of the preparatory work for the High Level Panel on the post-2015 framework to succeed the Millennium Development Goals.

Overseas Aid

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to ensure a clear audit trail for the (a) use of and (b) benefits derived from aid provided by her Department.

Alan Duncan: DFID has rigorous systems and processes to ensure that its aid reaches and delivers results for its international recipients. A formal review is required annually and at completion, which assesses and records whether funds have been used for their intended purposes and what results have been delivered. Appropriate action must be taken for any risks or issues identified, and this action is monitored.

Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her Department has contributed to the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust to date; and if she will make a statement.

Lynne Featherstone: To date the DFID has contributed £380,000 to the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust. DFID funds were released to enable the trust to establish itself, raise money and develop a clear strategy for what it will deliver in the future.

St Helena

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to promote sustainable development in Saint Helena.

Alan Duncan: The UK supports the St Helena Government (SHG) to implement its sustainable development plan and its sustainable economic development plan. We provide financial and technical support for the island's main development body, Enterprise St Helena, and for other government departments designed to stimulate growth and attract investment to the island.
	Enterprise St Helena is supporting the development and expansion of small, local businesses. They also facilitate vocational training in skills that will enable local people to take advantage of the opportunities that will be offered by opening the island up to tourism when the UK funded airport opens in 2016.
	Our technical assistance programme is increasing its emphasis on training and mentoring to build local capacity in the longer term.

DEFENCE

Armed Forces

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel under the age of 18 formed part of the trained strength of each service in each year since 2010-11.

Mark Francois: The number of personnel under the age of 18 who formed part of the trained strength of each service in each year since 2010-11 up to 1 March 2013 is detailed in the following table.
	
		
			 Service April 2011 April 2012 March 2013 
			 Naval Service 50 — * 
			 Army 270 250 220 
			 Royal Air Force 10 10 10 
			 Note: Data have been rounded to the nearest 10. Numbers ending in “5” have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias. “*” denotes zero or rounded to zero.

Armed Forces Day: Belfast

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he is making with Belfast City Council for the flying of the Armed Forces Flag on Armed Forces Day at Belfast City Hall.

Mark Francois: holding answer 18 April 2013
	Armed Forces Day is a day when we invite the whole nation to show support for our military community both serving and retired, at home and abroad. Each year the Chief of Defence Staff writes to each city and town council across the country requesting that they show their support to Armed Forces Day by flying the Armed Forces Day flag from the Monday preceding Armed Forces Day. This year the ‘Fly the Flag’ date will be Monday 24 June 2013. It is left to the discretion of each city or town council to decide if they wish to participate.

Armed Forces: Apprentices

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people in the (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force have completed apprenticeships while serving in the last three years.

Mark Francois: The number of armed forces personnel who have completed apprenticeships while serving, in the last three academic years (AY)—1 August to 31 July is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Academic year 
			  2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 
			 Qualification Level Number Level Number Level Number 
			 Military Apprenticeships 2 9,874 2 9,836 2 7,453 
			  3 2,065 3 2,173 3 2,676 
		
	
	There are two levels of apprenticeship—intermediate, which is level 2 and equivalent to GCSEs at grades A to C, or advanced, which is level 3 and equivalent to A level.
	The breakdown by service for completed apprenticeships is only readily available for AY 2011-12 which is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Royal Navy Army Royal Air Force 
			 Qualification Level Number Level Number Level Number 
			 Military Apprenticeships 2 2,182 2 4,507 2 764 
			  3 339 3 1,682 3 655

Armed Forces: Basic Skills

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force do not currently have (i) Level 1, (ii) Level 2 and (iii) Level 3 qualifications in (A) numeracy and (B) literacy.

Mark Francois: holding answer 18 April 2013
	Data are not available on the total numbers of personnel in each service holding literacy and numeracy qualifications at Levels 1, 2 and 3. However, all personnel are expected to be qualified to at least Level 1 within three years of joining and at Level 2 within eight years.
	All candidates undertake Basic Skills Initial Assessments to establish their level of literacy and numeracy. These results are shown in the following tables and the three services seek to improve the English and Maths Functional Skills abilities of all their recruits by at least one national level, and to a minimum of Entry Level 3, prior to the start of Phase 2 training.
	
		
			 Numeracy: Initial assessment results 
			  RN(2012) Army (2012) RAF (Sep 2011 to date) (%) 
			 Level 2 314 4,446 38.8 
			 Level 1 726 1,464 59.7 
			 Entry Level 3 73 3,489 — 
			 Entry Level 2 — 155 — 
			 Entry Level 1 — 12 — 
		
	
	
		
			 Literacy: Initial assessment results 
			  RN (2012) Army (2012) RAF (Sep 2011 to date) (%) 
			 Level 2 481 1,793 37.5 
			 Level 1 618 4,089 62.1 
		
	
	
		
			 Entry Level 3 10 3,347 — 
			 Entry Level 2 1 286 — 
			 Entry Level 1 — 51 — 
			 Note: RAF record Basic Skills as a proportion.

Armed Forces: Disciplinary Proceedings

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give consideration to replacing the summary hearing system with an alternative system.

Mark Francois: I have no plans to do so. The service justice system, of which the summary hearing system is one component part, is subject to regular review, and I am satisfied that it appropriately reflects the unique role and operating environments of the armed forces. The summary hearing system provides a mechanism for dealing both with minor criminal offences and minor examples of the disciplinary offences which are specific to the armed forces and calls to account those who are found, after a proper investigation, to have fallen short of the high standards of behaviour we expect from service personnel.
	Personnel who are charged with an offence which is to be dealt with by a commanding officer in a summary hearing have the right to choose trial by court martial instead, with the court applying the same limited powers as a commanding officer. Furthermore, those who are found guilty of an offence in a summary hearing can appeal to the summary appeal court against both the conviction and punishment, with the appeal taking the form of a rehearing.

Armed Forces: Disciplinary Proceedings

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many appeals against the (a) sentence and (b) punishment awarded by summary hearings have been recorded in each year since 2005; how many such appeals have resulted in a change to (i) the sentence and (ii) the punishment awarded; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Francois: The information requested is provided in the following table:
	
		
			  Appeals against finding and punishment Appeals against punishment only Finding changed (i.e. quashed) Punishment changed (i.e. quashed or altered) 
			 2005 118 189 61 108 
			 2006 98 127 48 63 
			 2007 91 88 35 50 
			 2008 68 53 23 31 
			 2009 47 85 18 34 
			 2010 20 85 9 56 
			 2011 31 86 19 70 
			 2012 32 65 20 46

Armed Forces: Firearms

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what steps he has taken to introduce firearms amnesties for service personnel since the case of Sergeant Nightingale; what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of such amnesties; whether Sergeant Nightingale will be permitted to benefit from such amnesties; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  whether he has made an assessment of the effectiveness of the firearms amnesties introduced for serving members of the armed forces since the Sergeant Nightingale case; whether it will be open to Sergeant Nightingale to make use of such amnesties; and whether the existence of such amnesties will be a factor in the assessment of the public interest of re-trying Sergeant Nightingale.

Mark Francois: holding answer 25 March 2013
	The Secretary of State for Defence, has made it clear he thought an amnesty should be looked at. The Department is currently looking into it.

Armed Forces: Housing

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether spending on (a) single living accommodation and (b) service family accommodation (i) new build and (ii) improvements are classified as (A) current and (B) capital expenditure.

Mark Francois: Spending on new build single living and service family accommodation is classified as capital expenditure.
	Improvements, refurbishment and upgrading of properties constitute both current and capital expenditure.

Armed Forces: Housing

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) single living accommodation units and (b) service family accommodation units were found to be affected by damp in each of the last five years.

Mark Francois: The Ministry of Defence has some 65,000 service family accommodation (SFA) properties and 130,000 single living accommodation (SLA) bed-spaces worldwide. Instances of damp in service accommodation are not centrally recorded and therefore an answer could be provided only at disproportionate cost. While damp is not a specific factor within the measurement of the standard for condition for SFA and the grade for condition and scale for SLA, we recognise that it can be an issue for occupants. The treatment of deep-rooted damp problems is included within the accommodation upgrade programmes, and, where necessary, during the preparation of SFA for the move in of a new family. In addition, advice is available to service families on practical steps that can be taken to reduce any condensation within their accommodation.

Armed Forces: Housing

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Barracks were spent on upgrading armed forces accommodation.

Mark Francois: There is no specific link between disposal receipts and individual elements of Defence expenditure. Exceptionally, however, the disposal of Chelsea barracks, by the previous Government which was sold for £959 million, was included in the plans of the Department and underpinned investment in-service accommodation of £250 million in 2007-08.
	The disposal of Chelsea barracks has, therefore, helped to secure the major investment in-service accommodation through Project SLAM (Single Living Accommodation Modernisation), the service housing upgrade programme and other significant accommodation projects in the UK and overseas to improve the living conditions for our service personnel.

Armed Forces: Officers

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to promote (a) University Officer Training Corps, (b) University Air Squadrons and (c) University Royal Naval Units as a means of recruiting officers into the armed forces.

Mark Francois: The armed forces promote University Royal Navy Unit, University Officer Training Corps and University Air Squadron opportunities and associated sponsorship schemes through their recruiting websites.
	In addition, young people are offered information on the university service units during career fairs/talks or at an armed forces careers office, as required. The three services visit universities to participate in careers events and to promote closer liaison with the wider student population, and the university units are encouraged to be highly visible on campuses to support the visit programmes. The university service units also engage at a more local level with their affiliated universities through local meetings and outreach events. The university service units also have an internet presence through websites and social media.

Armed Forces: Pay

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces were paid on average at below the hourly rate of national minimum wage in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13.

Mark Francois: In order to safeguard operational effectiveness, the armed forces are exempt from the provisions of the 1998 National Minimum Wage (NMW) Act. Nevertheless, we aim to ensure that the armed forces are in line with NMW provisions. As part of their work, the independent Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB) makes a broad assessment each year of whether there may be personnel earning below NMW rates. In their most recent report, a copy of which is in the Library of the House, the AFPRB noted that service personnel on average worked 44.5 hours per week which, when applied to the basic pay of junior ranks on the lowest level of pay, equated to an hourly rate of £7.55, higher than the then NMW hourly rate of £6.08.
	Given the hours that personnel have to work on operations, a similar calculation could produce an hourly rate which is below the NMW for some deployed junior personnel. However, additional allowances, including operational allowance, are payable during these periods and additional paid post-tour leave is also granted on return.

Armed Forces: Qualifications

Nicholas Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for Birkenhead of 12 March 2013, Official Report, column 159W, on armed forces: recruitment, if he will publish the data collected by his Department over the last 10 years on educational qualifications of recruits joining the armed forces;
	(2)  what proportion of new recruits to the (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy, excluding Royal Marines, (c) Royal Marines and (d) Royal Air Force had gained GCSE grades A* to C or Scottish Standard grades 1 to 3 in (i) English or English language and (ii) mathematics in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Mark Francois: holding answer 18 April 2013
	The information is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Armed Forces: Qualifications

Nicholas Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the minimum educational qualifications are for joining each (a) branch and (b) trade of the armed forces.

Mark Francois: holding answer 18 April 2013
	The following information shows the minimum educational qualifications for joining each branch and trade of the armed forces. Where reference to GCSEs is stated, equivalent qualifications are acceptable.
	Generally, Royal Navy officers require five GCSEs and 180 UCAS points; additionally engineer officers require appropriate BEng, MEng, IET, CEng or IENG qualifications. Additional qualifications are required for the officers detailed in the following table.
	
		
			 Officers Minimum qualification 
			 Warfare officer (Hydrographer and Met) A level in Maths, Physics or Chemistry. 
			 Dental officer Qualified dentist (Cadetships available for last three years). 
			 Medical officer Qualified from medical school (Cadetships available for last three years). 
			 Nursing officer RGN qualified with two years experience. 
			 Environmental health officer EHO qualified and registered. 
			 Chaplain Ordained chaplain. 
		
	
	Generally, for Royal Navy Ratings there is no minimum educational qualifications requirement but they require a pass at the Recruiting Test to the required level for their branch of choice. Exceptions are detailed in the following table.
	
		
			 Ratings Minimum qualification 
			 Aircraft controller Two GCSEs 
			 Dental nurse/medical assistant Two GCSEs 
			 Dental hygienist Diploma/Certificate in oral hygiene—GDC registered 
			 Medical technician (radiographer) Five GCSEs + BSC in diagnostic radiography—HPC member 
			 Communications technician Two GCSEs 
			 Naval nurse (qualified) Relevant degree and NMC qualification number 
			 Naval nurse (student) 280 UCAS points 
			 Musician Musical competency in mainstream instrument 
		
	
	Generally, Army officers must achieve GCSE/SCE in English Language, Maths, a science or foreign language. They must achieve at least 35 ALIS points at GCSE from their best seven subjects, and have scored a minimum of 240 UCAS points at A-level or equivalent from at least two passes.
	Additional qualifications are required for the officers detailed in the following table.
	
		
			  Qualification 
			 Engineer officers Degree level qualifications in CEng, Mech Eng or Electrical Eng or Chartered Engineering status 
			 Signals Degree in Telecoms, Electronic software, Computer Sciences, IT, IS, Maths, Physics, Comms and IS 
			 Legal officer 2:1 Law degree or equivalent, fully qualified barrister, solicitor or Scottish advocate, completed pupillage, solicitors to have completed training contract 
			 Nursing officer Diploma or BSc in either adult or mental health, registered and with two years post registration experience 
			 Chaplain Ordained with two or three years experience (TA or Regular) 
			 Dental officer Degree in dentistry, qualified dentist, GDC registered 
			 Medical officer Qualified and specialised—GMC registered 
			 Environmental health officer EHO qualified and registered 
			 Pharmacy officer Degree or graduate diploma in pharmacy and registered 
			 Physiotherapist Qualified and registered 
			 Radiologist Diploma or degree in diagnostic radiography and registered 
			 Veterinary officer Degree and registration 
		
	
	Generally, Army other ranks require no educational qualification but recruits must pass the Recruiting Test (BARB) to a level commensurate with their branch of choice. Exceptions are as follows:
	
		
			  Qualification 
			 Combat HR specialists GCSE or Level 1 Basic Skills in English and Maths or Maths and a Science 
			 Royal military police GCSEs in English and Maths at Grade C or above 
			 Musician Musical competency in one mainstream instrument 
			 Operator military intelligence Five GCSE from Maths, English or mainstream subjects 
			 Linguist GCSE in English Language plus four others 
			 Nurse (qualified) Diploma or BSc and registered 
			 Nurse (student) Five GCSE including English, Maths and a science. 280 UCAS points 
			 Healthcare assistant Gained or working towards NVQ2 in Care 
			 Operating department practitioner (Regular) 200 UCAS points for university entry 
			 Operating department practitioner (TA) NVQ level 3 or Dip HE and registration with HPC 
			 Radiographer Diploma or BSc in diagnostic radiography and registered 
			 Biomedical scientist (Regular) 260 UCAS points and human sciences background 
			 Biomedical scientist (TA) Diploma or BSc in biomedical services and registered 
			 Pharmacy technician (Regular) Four GCSEs including English, Maths and two sciences 
			 Pharmacy technician (TA) BTech or National Certificate and NVQ level 3 in pharmacy 
			 Veterinary technician Diploma or BSc in veterinary nursing and RVN registered 
			 Dental nurse NEBDN Cert or NVQ level 3 as oral health care worker 
			 Environmental health technician Four GCSEs including English, Maths and two sciences 
		
	
	
		
			 Physiotherapist Qualified and registered 
			 Paramedic (TA) Qualified, practising and registered 
		
	
	All RAF officers require five GCSEs and two A- levels. Additional qualifications are required for the officers as follows:
	
		
			  Qualification 
			 Aero systems/communications electrical engineer BEng in appropriate subject 
			 Medical/dentist/nursing Professionally qualified 
			 Medical support officer Registered as a physiotherapist 
			 Chaplain Ordained 
			 Legal Member of the English/Scottish/NI Bar or an admitted solicitor 
		
	
	All airmen/airwomen require a suitable pass in the Recruit Test applicable to their
	choice of trade. Additionally, the following apply:
	
		
			  Qualification 
			 All trades (excluding RAF Gunner) Two GCSEs 
			 Air cartographer Three GCSEs (third in ICT or equivalent) 
			 Aircraft/weapon/ICT/general technicians Three GCSEs (third in a science/technology based subject) 
			 Int analyst/pharmacy technician Four GCSEs 
			 Musician Two GCSEs and Grade 8 ABRSM 
			 Qualified chef Two GCSEs and CGLI/OND/TEC/BTEC/PCD/NVQ 2 
			 Nurse RGN/NMC 
			 Student nurse/environmental health technician/radiographer Five GCSEs plus 280 UCAS points 
			 Biomedical scientist Five GCSEs plus two A levels. 
			 Operating department practitioner Three GCSEs and two A levels

Armed Forces: Qualifications

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many individuals gained GCSEs during their phase 1 initial training in each year since 2005.

Mark Francois: holding answer 18 April 2013
	Phase 1 training is the broad militarisation training completed by all recruits on joining the armed forces. Training is generally short (10 weeks for the RN, 14 weeks for Army Standard Entry and nine weeks for the RAF) and the focus is on inculcating the essential military skills, so there is no time to complete a GCSE course.
	The Army Foundation College (Harrogate) offers longer Phase 1 training courses of 23 and 49 weeks and the infantry and RAF regiment each undertake a combined Phase 1/2 training course (26 weeks and 24 weeks respectively). These courses include Intermediate level apprenticeships but not GCSEs, although individuals may elect to study for GCSEs and other academic qualifications in their own time.

Armed Forces: Recruitment

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 12 March 2013, Official Report, columns 159-60W, on armed forces: recruitment, if he will place in the Library the data on fitness levels.

Mark Francois: The following table reflects the number of fitness tests undertaken by potential candidates over the past seven financial years (FY). The number of fitness tests conducted does not correlate to the number of candidates recruited into the armed forces and includes all tests regardless of whether the result was pass or fail.
	
		
			  Number of fitness tests conducted 
			  Financial year 
			 Service 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 Royal Navy 5,518 5,460 6,609 9,656 7,936 7,711 7,444 
			 Army 20,270 19,394 23,806 21,916 15,771 17,836 13,660 
			 Royal Air Force 1,697 3,480 4,691 3,721 2,125 2,625 2,059

Armed Forces: Recruitment

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of infantry recruits in each year since 2011 were aged (a) 21 or below and (b) under 18.

Mark Francois: The information is shown in the following table as percentages of total infantry recruits and relates to training years, which run from April to March.
	
		
			 Percentage 
			 Training year 21/Under 21 Under 18 
			 2011-12 59.2 22.6 
			 2012-13 57 18.4

Armed Forces: Recruitment

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of recruits enlisting in the (a) armed forces and (b) Army under 18 years old attended the (i) Army Foundation College, Harrogate and (ii) Army Technical Foundation College, Winchester in each year since 2011.

Mark Francois: Only Army personnel attended the colleges. The Army Technical Foundation College, Winchester closed for Junior Entry intakes in June 2012, when all Junior Entry Phase One training transferred to the Army Foundation College, Harrogate. The table shows the percentages of the total Army inflow for each period, and relates to training years which run from April to March.
	
		
			 Percentage 
			 Training year Army Foundation College Harrogate Army Technical Foundation College Winchester 
			 2011-12 13.8 8.2 
			 2012-13 14.5 2.1

Armed Forces: Rented Housing

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information his Department holds on the proportion of members of the armed forces who rent domestic properties.

Mark Francois: The Ministry of Defence does not hold information on the proportion of service personnel who privately rent their accommodation. However, the most recent Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (2012) indicated that some 4% of respondents occupied privately rented accommodation during the working week. The full survey is available at the following link:
	http://www.dasa.mod.uk/index.php?pub=AFCAS-MAIN

Armed Forces: Training

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how long phase 1 initial training is for those who join the (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force at 16 years old.

Mark Francois: Phase 1 training is the broad militarisation training completed by all recruits on joining the armed forces. This training focuses on inculcating the essential military skills. For young people joining the Army, including those aged 16 years old, Phase 1 training is completed at the Army Foundation College, where courses last either 23 or 49 weeks.
	Phase 1 training for entrants to the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force is not dependent on age and lasts 10 weeks for the Royal Navy and nine weeks for the Royal Air Force, although the RAF Regiment undertakes a longer combined Phase 1/2 training course.

Army: Discharges

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many army personnel were given a temporary discharge in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12;
	(2)  how many army personnel given a temporary discharge subsequently had their discharge changed to permanent discharge as a result of ill health.

Mark Francois: There is no such term as a temporary discharge and therefore no information is held to answer these questions.

Army: Discharges

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many army personnel were discharged for medical reasons in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12.

Mark Francois: There were a total of 834 UK Regular Army personnel medically discharged from the service during the financial year 2010-11 and a total of 963 UK Regular Army personnel medically discharged from the service during the financial year 2011-12.

Army: Discharges

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many army personnel discharged from the army have claimed their preserved pension under AFPS 75 early in each of the last 10 years due to being permanently incapacitated.

Mark Francois: The numbers of Army personnel who have been awarded their preserved pension under AFPS 75 early due to being assessed as permanently unable to undertake any form of full-time employment are as follows:
	
		
			 Pension awarded 
			 Calendar year Number 
			 2007 131 
			 2008 157 
			 2009 116 
			 2010 153 
			 2011 157 
			 2012 156 
			 2013 (so far) 18 
			 Note: Data prior to 2007 are not held.

Army: Qualifications

Nicholas Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what proportion of infantry soldiers gained GCSE grades A*-C or Scottish Standard grades 1-3 in (a) English and English Language and (b) mathematics in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Mark Francois: holding answer 18 April 2013
	The Ministry of Defence does not routinely collect nor centrally record the information requested.

Army: Qualifications

Nicholas Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what apprenticeship qualifications are available to those enlisting in the Army as minors.

Mark Francois: The following is a list of qualifications for all those enlisting in the Army including minors:
	ICT Users (Levels 2 and 3)
	Driving Goods Vehicles (Levels 2 and 3)
	Logistics Operations (Levels 2 and 3)
	Warehousing and Storage
	Mail Operations
	Aviation Operations on the Ground (Levels 2 and 3)
	IT and Telecoms Professional (Levels 2 and 3)
	Policing (Level 3)
	Animal Care (Levels 2 and 3)
	Horse Care (Levels 2 and 3)
	Customer Service (Level 3)
	Engineering Maintenance (Levels 2 and 3)
	Engineering Maintenance and Installation (Level 2)
	Performing Engineering Operations (Levels 2 and 3)
	Plant Operations (Construction) (Level 2)
	Professional Cookery (Levels 2 and 3)
	Communications Technologies Practitioners (Levels 2 and 3)
	Fabrication and Welding (Level 2)
	Public Services (Level 2)
	Providing a Security Service (Level 2).

Army: Recruitment

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average expenditure per Army recruit was of recruiting and training to identical roles recruits who were aged (a) under 18 years and (b) 18 years or above in each year since 2010-11.

Mark Francois: Recruits under the age of 18 undertake either the Junior Entry or Senior Entry training route. Although the majority of recruits over 17 will enter the Senior Entry route, some recruits between 17 and 17.5 undertake the longer Junior Entry course as, during selection, it was assessed that the Junior Entry route would be more appropriate for the needs of the individual.
	For those on Senior Entry, the cost of recruiting and training those under 18 is the same as for those over 18.
	In recruiting year 2010-11, the average cost of Phase 1 training for each of those under 18 (including both Junior and Senior Entry) was £52,267 and the average cost for those over 18 (Senior Entry route only) was £19,916. Recruitment costs are the same across the board and an additional £10,823 should be added to each.
	In recruiting year 2011-12, the average cost of Phase 1 training for each of those under 18 (including both Junior and Senior Entry) was £44,526 and the average cost for those over 18 (Senior Entry route only) was £18,178. An additional £11,094 should be added to each for recruitment costs.

Army: Recruitment

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to encourage enlistment into the Army's technical corps.

Mark Francois: The Army's technical corps include The Royal Engineers, The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, The Royal Corps of Signals and the Royal Logistic Corps. While we are actively recruiting soldiers across the Regular Army and the Reserve, the technical corps remain well subscribed. Further education bursaries continue to offer financial incentives for potential technical corps soldiers to stay on at school or college before joining their chosen trade.
	For officers, A-level courses are offered at the Defence Sixth Form College at Welbeck, and the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme offers degrees to students in predominantly science and engineering-based areas. Bursaries and mentorships are available for those studying under the scheme. More information is available at the Army website:
	http://www.army.mod.uk

Army: Recruitment

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to encourage people leaving school or university to choose a career as an Army officer as their first choice.

Mark Francois: A review of officer recruiting is currently under way, which is likely to lead to a marketing and recruiting campaign later in the year. The forthcoming 'Boots' Army recruiting campaign will also have an officer element. University Officer Training Corps units offer undergraduate members valuable insights into life with the armed forces. The Defence Sixth Form College at Welbeck offers places for applicants who wish to join the Army as officers, predominantly within the technical corps, and who progress to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst via the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme.
	For others, a limited number of scholarships are available to Sixth Form students, and bursaries are available to undergraduates. More information on Army Officer careers is available at the Army website:
	http://www.army.mod.uk

Army: Scholarships

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many individuals awarded Army scholarships have failed to progress to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst upon completion of their degree in each of the last five years.

Mark Francois: This information is no longer held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Data were collated until 2007, and the information for the most recent full three years held is shown in the following table. The proportion of those in receipt of Army scholarships failing to progress to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst since 2007 is believed to remain at similar levels. The target figure for the awarding of Army scholarships is 100 per year.
	
		
			 Training year Scholar withdrawals RMAS total course intake 
			 2003-04 12 746 
			 2004-05 15 713 
			 2005-06 15 731

Army: Training

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average age is of an Officer Cadet at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Mark Francois: The average age of an Officer Cadet on entry to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst is 23.

Assets

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the value was of (a) thefts, (b) items lost and (c) items lost in transit from his Department's establishments in (i) October 2012, (ii) November 2012, (iii) December 2012, (iv) January 2013, (v) February 2013 and (vi) March 2013; and if he will make a statement. [Official Report, 5 September 2013, Vol. 567, c. 5-6MC.]

Mark Francois: The information on thefts is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  £000 
			 October 2012 48 
			 November 2012 29 
			 December 2012 5 
			 January 2013 263 
			 February 2013 46 
			 March 2013 76 
		
	
	The reason for the high figure in January 2013 was as follows:
	Theft of a Tornado Jig Assembly—£193,243
	Theft of NVG—£11,573
	Theft of Military equipment—£36,310
	Further information on losses is not available at this stage because accounts information for financial year 2012-13 has not been finalised and is still subject to audit. Losses information recorded in the accounts only distinguishes between culpable losses and other losses of accountable stores. Figures across the Ministry of Defence for losses in transit could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Losses of any type are not necessarily recorded in the same month that they occurred. However, it is important that losses are recorded in the correct financial year for accounting purposes.

Defence: Procurement

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which projects being delivered for his Department by (a) Babcock, (b) Boeing, (c) Cobham, (d) the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, (e) Finmeccanica, (f) General Dynamics, (g) Kelloggs-Brown-Root, (h) Lockheed Martin (i) Marshall Aerospace, (j) Northrup Grumman, (k) Rolls-Royce, (l) Thales and (m) Ultra Electronics are running over budget; and by how much in each case.

Philip Dunne: holding answer 13 November 2012
	The information will take time to collate and the commercial sensitivity of the data could prevent full disclosure. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as I am in a position to provide further information.
	Substantive answer from Mr Dunne to Angus Robertson:
	I am writing in full response to the answer I gave on 26 November 2012, Official Report, column 22W, regarding the question you asked about Ministry of Defence (MOD) projects being delivered by a list of named companies that are running over budget.
	The following table details the three projects being delivered by those named contractors that are currently assessed as running over budget.
	
		
			 Contractor Project name Cost variation as at March 2013 (£ million) 
			 Airbus Ltd (EADS) A400M +770 
			 Northrop Grumman Sentry Mode S Identification Friend or Foe +6 
			 Thales UK Ltd Watchkeeper +57 
		
	
	For the purpose of answering this question, my officials have examined all Category A-D equipment acquisition projects, but limited to those showing a variance of more than £1 million against their approval costs, 50% confidence figure. It is also limited to those projects where the named company is listed as the prime contractor or where projects are being delivered by subsidiaries of the named companies. It does not include support projects. This was necessary to avoid significantly exceeding the disproportionate cost threshold limit for answering parliamentary questions.
	This approach means that there are some differences between the above table and the list provided to you in my answer of 6 November 2012, Official Report, column 519W, for example the inclusion of the A400M supplied by Airbus Ltd. as a subsidiary of EADS. The differences are due to the filters placed upon the data as explained above, as well as the passage of time.
	It should be noted that the cost variation quoted is assessed against MOD project approval figures, which represent the total MOD costs for any particular project. They therefore do not necessarily reflect contractual obligations. Project performance can be affected by a number of reasons, not all of which are in the contractor's control.
	I apologise for the time it has taken to get this information to you but its compilation has involved a significant amount of work and there was also a need to consult the companies concerned.

Dementia

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has a dementia strategy.

Mark Francois: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not have a dementia strategy. Our population, in the main, is not likely to suffer dementia while of working age. In the unlikely event of any incidence of dementia, it would be covered by the MOD's employee health and well-being policies.

HMS Victory

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  further to his Answer of 13 March 2013, Official Report, column 644W, on HMS Victory, whether he has taken expert advice in order to ascertain whether the skull from HMS Victory 1744 recently shown on television was exposed by human excavation of the seabed;
	(2)  whether his Department gave permission for excavation of HMS Victory 1744; and what assessment he has made of whether there has been any breach of the Deed of Gift of the wreck.

Mark Francois: The Deed of Gift signed on 12 January 2012 forms the current agreement between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Maritime Heritage Foundation (MHF) for management of the site of the wreck of HMS Victory 1744.
	Odyssey Marine Exploration (OME) has conducted regular site surveys since it discovered the wreck in 2008. No specific permission was sought from the MOD before OME revisited the site in summer 2012.
	On 13 March 2013 the expert panel discussed the television images of the skull in advance of OME's report of last summer's activity, which the Government expect to receive shortly as part of MHFs revised management plan and response to the key management principles.
	No determination has been made on whether there has been any breach of the Deed of Gift. The expert panel will review the MHF submission and provide its advice to the Government through the advisory group.

Military Alliances

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with which non-EU nations other than the US the UK has undertaken collaborative defence projects in each of the last five years; and which such projects have been undertaken.

Philip Dunne: Over the last five years, the UK has undertaken collaborative defence equipment and support projects with Brazil and Australia.
	For Brazil, the collaboration has been on maritime systems, which commenced in 2012.
	For Australia, the collaboration has been on the advanced short range air to air missile (ASRAAM) which commenced in 2012. The other collaboration involves submarines, which also commenced in 2012.

Military Alliances

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the cost to his Department was of military aviation collaboration projects with the US in each of the five years prior to 2011;
	(2)  what the cost to his Department was of military aviation collaboration projects with non-EU countries other than the US in each of the five years prior to 2011;
	(3)  what the cost to his Department was of military aviation collaboration projects in the EU in each of the five years prior to 2011.

Philip Dunne: Ministry of Defence expenditure on military aviation collaboration projects for each of the five years prior to 2011 is shown in the following table, rounded to the nearest million pounds. The expenditure includes airframes, engines and other systems intrinsic to the aircraft. It does not include airborne weapons fitted to aircraft.
	
		
			 Expenditure per financial year 
			 £ million 
			 Aviation collaboration projects 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 
			 EU 1,194 1,319 1,499 1,836 2,260 2,302 2,466 
			 Non-EU (excluding US) 2 10 16 16 12 18 19 
			 US 330 388 379 282 348 365 375 
		
	
	The information for financial years 2005-06 and 2006-07 is incomplete owing to the impracticality of retrieving and disaggregating financial data from legacy systems which could be completed only at disproportionate cost.
	The information provided for financial year 2011-12 has changed compared to that previously provided, owing to accounting treatment decisions and variations in exchange rates.
	The UK is not engaged in any military aviation collaborative projects with only non-EU countries and excluding the USA. One project includes a collaboration of EU, non-EU countries and the US. This explains the cost in the 'non-EU’ category above.

RAF Fylingdales

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when RAF Fylingdales was last refurbished.

Mark Francois: Work to refurbish or replace the infrastructure at all RAF bases is assessed and programmed on a regular and continuous basis and carried out as required.
	The recent programme of work at RAF Fylingdales has included the provision of a new combined mess facility and demolition of a number of redundant buildings.

RAF Staxton

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the refurbishment of the radar at RAF Staxton will be complete; and if he will make a statement.

Philip Dunne: The delivery of the TPS-77 radar at Remote Radar Head (RRH) Staxton Wold is scheduled for August 2013, with Full Operating Capability planned for September 2013.

Royal Military Academy

Bob Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the necessity for the Royal Military Academy to charge the Sandhurst Foundation, which hosts events to bring former officer cadets and instructors back to the academy, for room hire.

Mark Francois: The Sandhurst Foundation is a non-publicly funded, registered charity, located at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. When departmental assets such as rooms and facilities are hired out to third parties, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is obliged under Treasury repayment rules to recover an appropriate and consistent level of cost, so that the taxpayer is not left out of pocket. This will include insurance cover. Where services such as catering are provided by a single contractor, they might also charge for service provision that is over and above that provided under contract to the MOD. Any further charging that the Sandhurst Foundation might wish to apply is a matter for the foundation.

Staff

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many days of work were carried out by officials in (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on average in each of the last five years; and what the total salary cost was of officials in each year.

Mark Francois: A broad estimate of the number of days work carried out in the last five years by civilian defence officials is set out in the following table. Each full-time member of staff is expected to work 214 days per year after the deduction of weekends, public and privilege holidays and annual leave. From this must be deducted the average level of sick leave taken.
	
		
			  Civilian strength(1)as at 1 April Average number of days worked Salary costs (£000) 
			 2007-08 89,500 207 2,201,070 
			 2008-09 86,600 208 2,249,684 
			 2009-10 85,800 209 2,272,723 
			 2010-11 83,100 208 2,292,129 
			 2011-12 71,000 207 2,191,353 
			 (1) This figure includes those in the Department, and its Trading Funds and locally engaged civilians.

Territorial Army: Dudley

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what plans he has for the military facilities at Vicar Street in Dudley;
	(2)  what his policy is on the future of the Territorial Army's base at Vicar Street in Dudley.

Mark Francois: The Reserves White Paper and associated basing announcements are expected later this year. Until it is announced it is too early to make a decision on the future of the Territorial Army Centre in Vicar Street Dudley.

Territorial Army: Dudley

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many residents of Dudley currently serve in the Territorial Army.

Mark Francois: This information is not held in the format requested.

Wind Power

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received from (a) the renewables industry and (b) local residents on the effect on (i) radar and (ii) low-flying aircraft of potential wind farm sites; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Francois: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is only a consultee in the wind farm planning application process.
	The MOD currently receives 200 to 300 planning applications a month. Each of these applications may solicit representations from the renewables industry and local residents but these are not necessarily directed to the MOD.
	Records for all representations received in response to specific wind farm planning applications are not held centrally.
	The MOD assesses each application on a case-by-case basis and in determining the response takes into account a number of factors including the impact of the proposal on military radar, low flying, seismological recording equipment, communications facilities and naval operations.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what ongoing support in terms of (a) asylum and (b) other measures the Government is giving to Afghani interpreters facing possible reprisals for their support of NATO.

Alistair Burt: Afghan interpreters, and all our Afghan locally engaged staff, who work for our armed forces and civilian missions in Afghanistan make an invaluable contribution to the UK's efforts to help support the spread of security, stability and development in their country. We take our responsibility for all members of staff very seriously and have put in place measures to reduce the risks they face. Precautions are taken during recruitment and staff are fully briefed of any risks involved in their work before taking up employment. We regularly encourage staff to report any security concerns immediately. We currently follow an agreed cross-Government framework for considering cases of intimidation or injury on a case by case basis. This framework ensures that we take into account the particular circumstances of each case and can respond appropriately to the needs of the individual. Where locally engaged staff face a threat our options include providing security advice to staff and their families, granting extended leave or transferring staff to different jobs. In serious cases we may help staff relocate within Afghanistan or, in exceptional cases, to the UK.
	We are currently looking very carefully at how we are going to make appropriate provision to support locally engaged staff as we draw down and eventually end our combat mission.

Afghanistan

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he holds on whether other member states of NATO have offered asylum to Afghani interpreters; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: We are working very closely with some of our key NATO partners on this issue, to understand best practice and to ensure consistency with allies with whom we work particularly closely. We are aware of two general resettlement schemes, offered by the US (on a quota basis) and our ISAF partner New Zealand (to former interpreters).
	In addition, the UK is among a number of nations who already have plans in place which would, in extremis, offer resettlement in cases of extreme intimidation. We have resettled one interpreter using this scheme and have accepted asylum claims from others in different circumstances.
	We are aware of a number of other nations who have not yet made any policy decisions, but who will no doubt consider this issue in more detail as we near the end of combat operations at the end of 2014.
	We are currently looking very carefully at how we are going to make appropriate provision to support locally engaged staff, including interpreters, as we draw down and eventually end our combat mission.

Arms Trade

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out the provisions for the policing of enforcement and sanctions against states that breach the new international treaty controlling the global sale of conventional arms agreed at the United Nations in New York on 2 April 2013.

Alistair Burt: The Arms Trade treaty will require states parties to establish and maintain national control systems to regulate their international arms transfers, and to report through the Secretariat to all other states parties on the measures they have taken to implement the treaty and on all authorised or actual exports and imports. The conference of states parties will review the implementation of the treaty and it will be open to any state party to raise concerns with respect to its implementation or enforcement by any other state party. States parties will be required by the treaty to consult and, by mutual consent, to cooperate to pursue settlement of any dispute between them with regard to the interpretation or application of the treaty.

Bahrain

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations his Department has received from human rights organisations regarding human rights in Bahrain.

William Hague: Officials from the Arabian Peninsula and Iraq Department regularly meet human rights activists and representatives from international human rights organisations. The most recent meeting was on 18 April with representatives from Human Rights Watch.

Bahrain

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Bahrain about security and law enforcement at the upcoming Grand Prix in that country.

William Hague: Our ambassador in Bahrain meets Bahraini Government officials on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of issues, including security and law enforcement. The ambassador raised the Grand Prix with the Interior Minister last week. We have made it clear we expect the legitimate right to freedom of peaceful assembly and protest to be respected.

Bahrain

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Bahrain.

William Hague: We remain concerned about the human rights situation in Bahrain. The most recent assessment is available as a case study in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's annual human rights report.

Bahrain

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the possibility that the Bahraini Grand Prix will become a focal point for protests by opposition movements in that country.

William Hague: We are aware of protests against the Formula One Grand Prix in Bahrain. The main opposition parties have not called for the race to be cancelled, but have indicated that they intend to exercise their right to peaceful protest to highlight their concerns. The decision on whether to host a Grand Prix in a particular country rests with the Formula One authorities and the country concerned.

Bahrain

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has received from organisers of the Formula One Grand Prix in Bahrain regarding that event.

William Hague: My Department has not received any representations from the organisers of the Formula One Grand Prix.

British Overseas Territories

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 4 December 2012, Official Report, column 753W, on British Overseas Territories, which of the Overseas Territories has the service of a patrol vessel capable of enforcement against illegal and unregulated fishing to the edge of their exclusive economic zone; and, in each such territory, on how many days enforcement has taken place in each of the last five years.

Mark Simmonds: The Falklands Island Government have one such patrol vessel. Vessel deployments on enforcement operations for the last five years are as follows:
	
		
			  Days 
			 2012 294 
			 2011 251 
			 2010 274 
			 2009 190 
			 2008 204 
		
	
	The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands operate one such patrol vessel. Deployments over the last five years are as follows:
	
		
			  Days 
			 2012 205 
			 2011 227 
			 2010 210 
			 2009 220 
			 2008 193 
		
	
	The British Indian Ocean Territory has one such vessel which patrols the marine protected area. Enforcement deployments for the previous five years are:
	
		
			  Days 
			 2012 204 
			 2011 207 
			 2010 259 
			 2009 240 
			 2008 204 
		
	
	The Government of Grand Cayman have three vessels capable of enforcement against illegal, unreported and unregulated vessels. Patrols are carried out daily within a limited area.
	The Territories of Ascension Island, St Helena and Tristan da Cunha do not have the routine services of a patrol vessel. However, in 2010 a dedicated patrol vessel was deployed in these territories for 12 days, six days and nine days respectively.

British Overseas Territories

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 4 December 2012, Official Report, column 753W, on British Overseas Territories, how many at-sea inspections of fishing boats over 24 metres long to check for compliance with territorial legislation and international fishery treaty obligations have taken place within the exclusive economic zones of each Overseas Territory in each of the last five years.

Mark Simmonds: Territory governments are responsible for the protection and conservation of their natural environments and not all information related to vessel inspections is held centrally in the UK. Information gathered on the inspections undertaken in the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Indian Ocean Territory and Ascension Island is as follows:
	
		
			 Inspections 
			 Number 
			  2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 
			 Falkland Islands 85 107 63 — — 
			 South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands 4 11 10 6 11 
			 British Indian Ocean Territory 11 7 10 30 24 
			 Ascension Island — — 2 — —

British Overseas Territories

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit British Overseas Territories in the next 12 months.

Mark Simmonds: It is long-standing policy not to confirm ministerial travel plans significantly in advance. Ministers remain committed to strengthening the UK's relationships with the Overseas Territories as set out in last year's White Paper, and will travel in support of that objective.

British Overseas Territories

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to promote good governance in British Overseas Territories.

Mark Simmonds: The 2012 White Paper on the Overseas Territories sets out our responsibility for the security and good governance of the Territories. We expect Territories which choose to remain British to abide by the same basic standards for democratic and accountable Government that exist in the UK.
	At the Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council in December 2012, we agreed to work with Territory Governments on a range of priority issues, including public financial management and economic planning.
	We are making progress. The Government of Anguilla signed a Framework for Fiscal Sustainability on 5 April. Framework agreements, or equivalent arrangements, have now been agreed with all the Caribbean Overseas Territories. We have also launched a Jubilee Programme to help Territory Governments to build their capacity for good governance, through an exchange of expertise between public servants.

British Overseas Territories

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to develop transport and communication infrastructure in British Overseas Territories.

Alan Duncan: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for International Development.
	DFID presently supports safe and reliable sea access to aided overseas territories. Technical assistance is provided to public works departments in three territories for the improvement of roads and other essential infrastructure. Long-term access constraints are being addressed on St Helena through the construction of an airport. On Montserrat DFID is exploring options to improve sea access.
	DFID is investigating the feasibility and potential benefits to be gained from providing links to proposed fibre optic cables for St Helena and for Montserrat.

China

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the government of the People's Republic of China on organ harvesting practices in that country.

Hugo Swire: The British Government are aware of these claims, and our embassy in Beijing has raised this with the Chinese Government. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly denied the allegations. The Chinese Government has also assured us that organs from executed prisoners will only be used for transplantation with their consent.
	China has also taken significant legislative action to regulate the use of donated organs. In May 2007, the Regulation on Human Organ Transplantation came into force, banning organ trading, the removal of a person's organs without their prior written consent, and the transplantation of organs from living donors, except to blood relatives. In 2011, an amendment to China's criminal law specified, for the first time, criminal penalties for offences related to the forced removal or trafficking of human organs.
	In March 2012, the Chinese Government announced plans to phase out the use of organs for transplant from executed prisoners within the next five years and to create a national organ donation system. We welcome these steps toward regulating transplantation in line with international standards.
	We will continue to raise these concerns, and to urge the Chinese authorities to grant permission for the relevant UN Special Procedures Rapporteurs to visit China to make an independent assessment of the situation regarding the treatment of detainees, during bilateral talks with the Chinese Government, including during the next UK-China Human Rights Dialogue. We have proposed dates for the next Dialogue to the Chinese but have not yet received a positive response.

Computers

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) desktop computers, (b) laptop computers and (c) tablet devices his Department has purchased in the last two years.

David Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) operates both in the UK and across a network of over 260 overseas posts. The FCO has devolved procurement authorities and details of purchases of computers and other information technology is not centrally held. To obtain this information would incur a disproportionate cost.

Custody

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the (a) treatment in custody and (b) convictions and sentences of Ebrahim Al Muqdad and Sadeq Aziz Salman.

Alistair Burt: Ebrahim Al Muqdad and Sadeq Aziz Salman were convicted on 4 April 2013 for the attempted murder of policemen. They were sentenced to 10 years but have the option to appeal this verdict in the Court of High Appeal.
	The criminal age of responsibility in Bahrain is 15-years-old and as such both were tried as adults. But we urge the Bahraini Government to ensure it adheres to international standards on the treatment of juvenile offenders. We also expect those accused of breaking the law to have the right to legal help and fair treatment in a justice system that respects their rights.

Cyprus

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on safeguarding the assets of British nationals resident in Cyprus.

David Lidington: Deposits in Cypriot banks are subject to the laws and regulations of the Republic of Cyprus. We recommend that British Nationals consider seeking independent advice regarding their assets overseas.

Cyprus

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 25 March 2013, Official Report, column 908W, on Cyprus, whether the UK recognises any other state's claim to an exclusive economic zone within the limits of the areas reserved for the UK set by the four lines set out in Annex A, section 3, of the treaty concerning the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, 19 August 1960; whether the Republic of Cyprus has requested permission to licence the extraction of oil and gas within those areas; and if he will place a copy of a map illustrating the areas delimited by the lines in the Library.

David Lidington: The right of the sovereign base areas to a territorial sea is clear in the treaty of establishment—an entitlement which the Republic of Cyprus has acknowledged. No other state has the legitimate right to declare an exclusive economic zone within the UK's territorial sea, nor has the Republic of Cyprus indicated a wish to exploit any mineral resources within the territorial sea of the sovereign base areas. The declaration made by the Government in 1960 makes clear the UK's intention not to develop the sovereign base areas for other than military purposes. The treaty of establishment and associated maps and schedules are available for consultation in the Library.

Cyprus

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for (a) the treaty concerning the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus and (b) the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee of the establishment by a third party of a military facility within the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.

David Lidington: It is our view that the terms of the treaty of establishment and the treaty of guarantee do not prevent the Republic of Cyprus from permitting the establishment of third-party military facilities within its territory.

Dementia

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has a dementia strategy.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not have a dementia strategy or any plans to introduce one. Our occupational health team would advise us on how to deal with an individual case should it arise.

Ethiopia

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason Ethiopia was not designated a country of concern in his Department's annual report on human rights and democracy.

Mark Simmonds: We regularly assess the Ethiopian Government’s adherence to its human rights obligations. While there are serious human rights concerns which we raise with the Ethiopian Government, we do not assess that these concerns warrant Ethiopia being designated a country of concern. Ethiopia is included as a case study in the FCO’s Human Rights report. Ethiopia has also delivered impressive gains in social and economic rights.

Henderson Island

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the rat infestation on Henderson Island.

Mark Simmonds: Responsibility for environmental issues is devolved to the Governments of the Overseas Territories. However the UK Government are committed to working closely with Territory Governments and partner organisations to provide support and assistance in areas where they need help.
	The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has been closely monitoring the situation on Henderson Island following the unsuccessful 2011 eradication attempt. A further research trip, funded by the Darwin Initiative, is planned for July and August. The near removal of rats from the island has allowed many of Henderson's birds to significantly increase their populations and the RSPB are in discussion with the Territory on next steps for Pitcairn and Henderson.

India

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the new Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2013 passed by the Indian Parliament aimed at addressing sexual violence, including victims' access to health care and legal assistance.

Hugo Swire: On 21 March 2013, the Indian Parliament passed the Criminal Law Bill. The Bill now needs to be approved by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee. The Bill aims to strengthen India's laws on violent crimes against women.
	We regularly discuss human rights issues with India through the EU/India human rights dialogue and other fora. Women's rights are on the agenda for the next instalment of the dialogue which we are pressing to be held soon.
	Improving the lives of women and girls is at the heart of the Department for International Development's programme in India. The programme covers support for national and state governments and aims to help all girls to complete basic education, further reduce maternal mortality and tackle violence against women and girls.

Iraq

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government has made representations to the UN on (a) humanitarian standards and (b) access to lawyers by residents in Camp Liberty in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: We have made no formal representations to the UN on the humanitarian standards at Camp Liberty or access to lawyers for its residents, though we continue to discuss this issue with them regularly. I raised the humanitarian situation at Camp Liberty with Iraqi Minister for Foreign Affairs Zebari during my visit to Baghdad in February.

Iraq

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the situation and conditions in Camp Liberty in Iraq.

Alistair Burt: Our embassy in Baghdad receives regular updates from the UN about the situation at Camp Liberty. The UN have reported that conditions at Camp Liberty meet international humanitarian standards.

Israel

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on (a) ensuring that children in military detention who are prosecuted for alleged offences in Israel are treated in accordance with international juvenile justice standards and (b) preventing the ill-treatment of children in military detention by military officials.

Alistair Burt: In November 2012, the Attorney-General, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Beaconsfield (Mr Grieve) discussed the issue of child prisoners with the Israeli Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein and other senior interlocuters. Mr Weinstein agreed to further talks between UK and British legal experts on the subject.
	In the meantime we have welcomed some small steps taken by the Israeli authorities. These include a recent Israeli military order which reduces the length of time children can be held in pre-trial detention and an announcement in December by the Israeli State Attorney reducing, from April, the period a Palestinian minor falling under the jurisdiction of the West Bank military court system can be held before being brought before a judge.

Israel

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Israeli water companies participated in the UK Israel Tech Hub mission to the UK in April 2013; and what the main objectives of the mission were.

Alistair Burt: The UK Israel Tech Hub issued a press release on 5 March listing the participating Israeli companies:
	http://www.post.com/Sci-Tech/Article.aspx?id=305353
	The main objectives of the mission were:
	To help British infrastructure companies gain a competitive advantage by identifying water technology solutions from Israel to integrate into their UK and global projects; to position the UK as a destination of choice for Israeli companies and encourage partnerships and inward investment to the UK.
	Water technology is one of the priority sectors of the UK Israel Tech Hub, a team based at the British embassy in Israel tasked with building technology partnerships between the two countries. The economic logic of a UK—Israel partnership in water is compelling. Israeli water technology can reach new markets by partnering with leading British companies who have expertise in delivering major infrastructure projects worldwide. And those British companies can gain a global competitive advantage from partnering with Israeli water companies who have world-beating expertise in overcoming water scarcity through innovation.
	The fair and effective distribution of shared water resources across the middle east is of great concern to us. These resources are limited and therefore require the effective co-operation from all parties to manage them in such a manner that ensures there will be enough for all.
	Although this issue transcends the Arab-Israeli conflict, it is essential that Israel and the Palestinians discuss this issue and ensure that there is a just solution on shared water resources as part of any final status agreement.

Israel

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which UK businesses participated with the visiting UK Israel Tech Hub mission in (a) discussions on global water market opportunities and (b) the workshop in pursuit of joint projects in British municipal and industrial markets; and what advice his Department gave to UK participants on the potential risks of (i) investing in and (ii) entering into partnerships with businesses that have invested in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Alistair Burt: A number of British businesses engaged with the visiting UK Israel Tech Hub mission, including at the World Water-Tech Investment Summit. In addition, the mission attended a day with the Arup Group Limited and a workshop together with British water professionals.
	UK participants received business information about all participants of the mission and the organisers. No advice was given to UK participants regarding the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
	In response to any queries from British companies, we make clear our position on the illegality of Israeli settlements under international law.

Mali

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the situation in Mali.

Mark Simmonds: As the successful French-led operations in Mali have drawn down, the African-led support mission to Mali (AFISMA) is taking a growing stabilisation role ahead of a likely transition to a UN peacekeeping operation later this year. On the political track, we are encouraged by Mali's commitment to a political roadmap towards elections in July 2013. Delivering on that roadmap, and electing a strong, credible central Government that speaks for all Malian people, will be critical.

Mobile Phones

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what initiatives his Department supports on the promotion of conflict-free resources for use in mobile telephones.

Mark Simmonds: The FCO works closely with UK companies, particularly in the diamond, gold and jewellery sectors, to encourage trade in conflict-free minerals. The FCO has contributed to the development of guidance by the OECD for companies with gold, tin, tantalum and tungsten supply chains (minerals that are used in mobile phones) and by the World Gold Council, in order to provide UK companies with the necessary tools to undertake effective due diligence checks on their supply chains to ensure that the minerals and gold they purchase does not fund conflict. The FCO encourages companies sourcing gold and minerals from the Great Lakes Region of Africa to undertake such due diligence. We also support the work done by the London Bullion Market Association to create responsible gold supply chains. The FCO is also working with the European Commission to ensure that the EU plays a more active role in encouraging companies to implement the OECD guidance.

Overseas Aid

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which projects administered by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office were Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) attributable in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; and which projects will be ODA attributable in 2013.

David Lidington: We are committed to ensuring that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) meets the standards of the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI). and to making it easier for people here at home and in developing countries to find, understand and analyse data on FCO and British Council ODA spend, including at the project level.
	Project level data for FCO ODA in 2010 has been published on the OECD website at:
	http://www.oecd.org/dac/peer-reviews/45519815.pdf
	Detailed information about FCO ODA activity in 2011-12 can be found on the FCO website at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office/series/overseas-development-aid-oda-information
	This was published on 27 March 2013 along with our Implementation Plan to ensure the publication of FCO ODA data meets IATI standards.
	Information on 2012-13 ODA projects is scheduled for publication by 30 June 2013. 2013-14 information will be published next year.

Pakistan

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise the issue of the use of blasphemy laws in Pakistan when he next meets Pakistani Government officials; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The British Government regularly raise the issue of the blasphemy laws, and their misuse against both Muslims and religious minorities, with the authorities in Pakistan. We will continue to raise this subject with Pakistan’s new government following the elections in May.
	The issue is covered in the FCO’s annual human rights report, published on Monday 15 April, so we will not be making a statement.

Palestinians

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the effects of the economic restrictions imposed by the Israeli Government on the (a) competitiveness of the Palestinian economy, (b) productivity of the Palestinian agricultural and manufacturing sectors, (c) employability of the Palestinian workforce and (d) share of exports in the Palestinian economy.

Alistair Burt: The Government continue to assess that Israeli restrictions on movement and access in the West Bank and Gaza are the single biggest obstacle to trade and economic development, and hence one of the most important causes of the current financial difficulties of the Palestinian Authority. This is in line with the assessment of the World Bank's Economic Monitoring Report to the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) on 19 March 2013. An easing of these restrictions is vital for the Palestinian economy to flourish. As the International Monetary Fund's report to the AHLC noted, the failure to make more progress in reducing restrictions has led to a rise in unemployment (up to 22.9% in the last quarter of 2012 from 21.0% during the same period in 2011), a decline in public services and the halving of growth in the West Bank and Gaza (from 12.2% in 2011 to 6.0% in 2012). Exports of goods are 7% of gross domestic product—among the lowest in the world.
	The result is harm to the long-term competitiveness of the Palestinian economy. We continue to lobby the Israeli Government to ease their restrictions on movement and access. We want to see increased movement of goods between the West Bank, Gaza, Israel and beyond.

Pay

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria are used in (a) his Department and (b) each public body for which he is responsible to determine which officials receive bonus payments.

Alistair Burt: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 15 April 2013, Official Report, columns 21-24W, which contains details of the criteria used for awarding performance related payments and in-year performance awards for Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff.
	Both FCO Services and Wilton Park operate the same performance related payment scheme and in-year performance award system as the FCO. The Westminster Foundation for Democracy, the British Council and the Great Britain-China centre only operate an annual performance award system based on the FCO model of appraisal evidence. Neither the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission, nor the Foreign Compensation Commission, operate any bonus or performance related payment schemes.

Peru

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the state of relations between the UK and Peru.

Hugo Swire: We have a broad and positive relationship with Peru. Britain sent its first Consul-General to Peru in 1823, 190 years ago this year. Today the UK and Peru work closely together on a wide range of areas including economic development and trade, climate change and energy, drugs, international crime and defence. Our embassy in Lima, working with our network of honorary consuls around Peru, provides consular assistance when needed to any of the 60,000 British visitors to Peru each year. We have increased the size of our embassy in Lima over the past two years. This has been warmly welcomed by the Peruvian Government.
	We are developing our economic relationship further, and for the past 10 years, Peru has enjoyed one of the fastest growing economies in the world. We look forward to helping British companies to take advantage of the provisions of the EU-Andean Free Trade agreement which came into provisional force in Peru on 1 March 2013.
	In March this year, the UK and Peru signed a memorandum to facilitate cooperation in the fight against organised crime, including illegal drugs.

Pitcairn Islands

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 19 March 2013, Official Report, column 608W, on Pitcairn Islands, when he intends to announce the Government's plans for establishing a marine protected area around the Pitcairn Islands.

Mark Simmonds: We are working with the Pitcairn Island Council and interested partner organisations to explore and develop the various options for marine protection around Pitcairn. This is a complex issue requiring thorough analysis of a range of environmental and economic issues before a decision can be taken. The Government have shown a clear commitment to marine protection and is committed to working with Overseas Territories to ensure the sustainable management of their unique environmental assets.

Recruitment

Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on advertising job vacancies in (a) 2005, (b) 2006, (c) 2007, (d) 2008 and (e) 2009.

Alistair Burt: The following table shows the Department's spend on external advertising of job vacancies in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in financial years 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10.
	
		
			  £ 
			 2005-06 204,021 
			 2006-07 258,834 
			 2007-08 201,083 
			 2008-09 291,004.7 
			 2009-10 121,221 
		
	
	The figures cover recruitment for UK-based members of staff only—figures for recruitment undertaken by overseas Posts advertising for local staff positions are not held centrally.
	The FCO uses recruitment agencies to attract a wide range of applicants to ensure its work force is as diverse and highly skilled as possible. For specialist recruitment campaigns, agencies are better placed to target applicants with the most relevant skills within that sector. A competitive tendering process is run to select an agency for external recruitment campaigns. This has proven to be more cost-effective than in-house recruitment.
	Since 2010, the FCO has been subject to the Whitehall-wide external recruitment ban.

Saudi Arabia

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of Saudi Arabia's compliance with the UN Convention Against Torture; and what representations he has made to the government of Saudi Arabia in support of that convention.

Alistair Burt: Saudi Arabia has ratified the Convention Against Torture (CAT). However, allegations of torture continue to be heard, in particular from political activists accused of terrorist offences. We judge the allegations, by virtue of their frequency and the variety of sources, to be credible and it would appear that the Saudi Arabian authorities attach some credence to the allegations, because the Public Prosecution Office (part of the Ministry of Interior) has been ordered to monitor and inspect prisons. Officials are currently negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the Justice Sector. We are pressing for a provision to work together to implement the requirements of international obligations, in particular the implementation of human rights conventions. This would include pressing Saudi Arabia to ratify the CAT Optional Protocol, thus requiring the establishment of National Preventive Mechanism and further practical steps to eradicate torture.

Saudi Arabia

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what representations he has made to the Government of Saudi Arabia since the reported sentencing of Ali al-Khawahir to forced paralysis on 4 April 2013;
	(2)  on how many occasions he has raised with the Saudi Arabian ambassador the issue of the sentencing of Ali al-Khawahir to forced paralysis.

William Hague: The British Government stated on 4 April that any such sentence is prohibited under international law and that there is no place for such grotesque sentences in any society.
	Our embassy in Riyadh raised this case with the Saudi Arabian authorities. The Saudi Arabian Government publically stated on 9 April that a judge had previously revoked the sentence of paralysis.

Saudi Arabia

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from non-governmental organisations on the reported sentencing of Ali al-Khawahir to forced paralysis by the Government of Saudi Arabia.

William Hague: Human Rights Watch raised this issue with Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials on 18 April. The British Government stated on 4 April that any such sentence is prohibited under international law and that there is no place for such grotesque sentences in any society.
	Our embassy in Riyadh raised this case with the Saudi Arabian authorities. The Saudi Arabian Government publically stated on 9 April that a judge had previously revoked the sentence of paralysis.

Somalia

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Kenyan counterpart on the increase in violence along the Somali border.

Mark Simmonds: Britain has worked closely with the Kenyan Government to respond effectively to the threat of terrorism from extremist groups in Somalia and to support local conflict prevention efforts in the run up to Kenya's general elections in March. I raised these issues with Kenyan counterparts when I visited in October last year.

Staff

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many days of work were carried out by officials in (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on average in each of the last five years; and what the total salary cost was of officials in each year.

Alistair Burt: The total salary costs for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies for the past five years are as detailed in the following table:
	
		
			 £ 
			 ]Financial year 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 
			 FCO 217,456,386.19 216,543,407.10 218,501,046.26 215,284,102.67 233,204,539.88 
			 British Council 27,320,878.00 25,094,784.00 26,596,120.00 33,539,551.00 30,405,605.00 
			 Wilton Park 2,323,692.00 2,204,502.00 2,302,442.00 2,279,578.00 2,208,382.00 
			 Westminster Foundation for Democracy 898,044.00 887,997.00 800,689.00 689,088.00 690,348.00 
			 Great Britain-China Centre 284,204.00 291,585.00 258,992.00 261,379.00 243,611.00 
			 FCO Services 42,032,633.00 41,808,000.00 43,897,000.00 44,758,000.00 41,646,000.00 
			 Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission (1)— n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 n/a = not applicable (1 )The Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission does not pay salaries 
		
	
	We are unable to provide information on the number of days worked in each of the past five years without incurring disproportionate cost.

Sudan

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department plans to offer support to ensure a peaceful and credible referendum under the African Union proposals for the contested region of Abyei between Sudan and South Sudan.

Mark Simmonds: We support the holding of a referendum to determine the final status of Abyei, as required by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between Sudan and South Sudan. The UK will offer its support to ensure that process is a peaceful and credible one when it happens. We believe the proposal put forward by the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel last September provides a basis for a lasting peace by guaranteeing the rights of both settled and nomadic peoples of Abyei. whatever the result of a referendum.

Sudan

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the bombing of civilians by the Government of Sudan; and what assessment he has made of whether any such actions would constitute war crimes.

Mark Simmonds: We receive regular reports of the use of aerial bombing by the Sudanese armed forces in the ongoing conflicts in Darfur, Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile. It is often not possible to verify these reports independently. The most recent incident reported by the United Nations was the use of air strikes in response to an attack by a rebel group on Muhajeria and Labado in Darfur on 6 April.
	Reports suggest that bombings are often poorly targeted and directly affect civilians. We have also received reports of deliberate attacks on civilian targets in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile. If confirmed, such actions are likely to be violations of international humanitarian law, and require credible and independent investigation.

Syria

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to assist in protecting civilians in Aleppo City in Syria.

Alistair Burt: The Syrian Government continue to demonstrate that they are manifestly unwilling to meet their responsibility to protect their civilian population. We are continuing to work with our international partners to increase the pressure on the regime to come to the table, support the opposition as a credible alternative, and address the humanitarian impact of the crisis, including in Aleppo.
	The UK has contributed £141.1 million in humanitarian aid so far. This is funding food, clean drinking water, medical assistance, blankets and shelter for many tens of thousands of people across 14 governorates, including Aleppo. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, announced to Parliament on 6 March 2013 a further £2.7 million of practical support to the National Coalition, which includes providing new types of non-lethal equipment for the protection of civilians, bringing the total support package for FY 2012-13 to £12.1 million.

Tristan Da Cunha

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to safeguard the flora and fauna of Tristan da Cunha.

Mark Simmonds: Responsibility for environmental issues is devolved to the Governments of the Overseas Territories. However the UK Government are committed to working closely with Overseas Territory Governments and partner organisations to provide support and assistance in areas where they need help.
	Tristan da Cunha is home to a number of important and unique habitats, particularly the World Heritage listed sites of Gough and Inaccessible Islands. The Government of Tristan da Cunha take protection of the environment very seriously. Tristan cooperates with a number of environmental bodies in doing this and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has recently been awarded a £285,000 grant under the Darwin Initiative to conduct further study into the sustainable management of the marine environment and resources of Tristan da Cunha.

USA

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the forthcoming official visit of HRH Prince Henry of Wales to the US.

Alistair Burt: HRH Prince Henry of Wales will visit the United States from Thursday 9th to Wednesday 15th May 2013. His visit will include engagements on behalf of charities with which the Prince is closely associated and engagements on behalf of HM Government, with a strong central theme of supporting injured servicemen and women from both the UK and US armed forces. The Prince will visit Washington DC, Denver, Colorado Springs, New York City, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Visits Abroad

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's budget was for overseas travel for officials and Ministers in 2012-13.

David Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not centrally set budgets specifically for travel. Instead, the FCO sets budgets for departments and teams which are then deployed to best deliver their agreed objectives.

West Africa

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to his counterparts in Mali and Burkina Faso to help dispel tensions between those two countries.

Mark Simmonds: Building regional stability and good relations in the Sahel is central to our policy towards the region. Ministers and officials regularly raise this with regional contacts, including during the visit of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) to Bamako on 4 March, and my visit to the African Union summit in January. Recent years have seen an improvement in relations between Mali and Burkina Faso, and Burkina Faso has made a substantial troop contribution to the African-led International Support Mission to Mali force which aims to help stabilise Mali.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Business: Ethnic Groups

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what contact his Office has had with the Department for Communities and Local Government between November 2011 and March 2013 concerning the review that that Department has been conducting into the barriers faced by some black and ethnic minority entrepreneurs in accessing business finance.

Nicholas Clegg: The Deputy Prime Minister's Office is in regular contact with the Department for Communities and Local Government about a range of issues.

Lobbying

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on what date the Government will produce a White Paper and draft Bill to introduce a statutory register of lobbyists.

Chloe Smith: The Government are committed to introducing a statutory register of lobbyists.
	We will publish details of our revised proposals in due course.

Trident

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what consultation he has had with (a) the defence industry and (b) other external experts as part of the Trident Alternatives Review.

Danny Alexander: I have been asked to reply 
	as the Minister responsible for the Trident Alternatives Review.
	The review draws upon advice, including on technical, industrial and other issues, from subject matter experts within Her Majesty's Government.

Trident

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the Trident Alternatives Review has considered the options of a (a) normally continuous at-sea deterrence submarine force, (b) CASD-capable submarine force, (c) dual-capable submarine force and (d) non-deployed strategic force.

Danny Alexander: I have been asked to reply 
	as the Minister responsible for the Trident Alternatives Review.
	I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 4 February 2013, Official Report, column 45W.

Visits Abroad

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which countries he has visited in his capacity as Deputy Prime Minister since May 2010.

Nicholas Clegg: Since May 2010, the Deputy Prime Minister has visited the following countries in his official capacity: Afghanistan, Belgium, Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Mozambique, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and USA.

CABINET OFFICE

Baroness Thatcher

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  what the total cost to public funds was of the funeral of Baroness Thatcher, by category of expenditure;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the total number of (a) staff hours used by and (b) wages claimed by (i) armed forces personnel, (ii) police officers and (iii) other support staff during the preparation and duration of Baroness Thatcher's funeral;

Pamela Nash: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will estimate the total cost to the public purse of the funeral of Baroness Thatcher, taking account of the salaries of public officials attending on the day and those involved in the preparations beforehand.

Francis Maude: The Government are committed to publishing the cost to public funds of Baroness Thatcher's funeral. The costs are currently being collected and will be published in due course.

Charities

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps his Department is taking to support charities threatened with closure.

Nick Hurd: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 25 March 2013, Official Report, column 961W, to the hon. Member for Heywood and Middleton (Jim Dobbin).

Charities

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps his Department is taking to encourage charities to bid for Government contracts.

Nick Hurd: As outlined in the Cabinet Office publication, 'Making it easier for civil society to work with the state', this Government are fully committed to opening up public-service contracts to new bidders, including from civil society organisations such as charities.
	In the first instance, we are encouraging charities to bid for Government contracts through providing them with better information.. For example, through the Cabinet Office's Procurement Pipelines we have published £84 billion worth of Government contracts since November 2011.
	We are also making commissioning more sensitive to the needs and strengths of charities through the Cabinet Office's reforms of Government procurement processes, as well as through its Commissioning Academy.
	We are supporting charities to improve their readiness to bid for and win Government contracts. We are currently running a series of national master-classes on the commercial skills key to successful contract bids. We are also running a £10 million Investment and Contract Readiness Fund which provides professional support for organisations looking to gain more income from contracts.

Civil Servants

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the effect of the threat of job losses and relocation on the morale of the civil service.

Francis Maude: At the time of the last general election this Government inherited what was among the largest budget deficits in the developed world. This Government are taking the difficult, painful decisions to get Britain back on the rise. The civil service must play its part in helping reduce spending.
	Our 2012 People Survey—which listened to the views of almost 300,000 civil servants—shows that, despite the difficult economic circumstances and a tough operating environment, morale has held up. Overall engagement scores are as they were in 2009, and nine-tenths of staff find their work interesting.
	Civil servants should be empowered to deliver the best for Britain. Our Reform Plan—which is based heavily on feedback from civil servants themselves— provides for this with its vision for a more skilled, less bureaucratic, more unified civil service. We will make sure that civil servants have the right skills for tomorrow's world. Despite reforms, employment terms will remain among the best available and we will improve workplaces and IT to make it easier for civil servants to do their job. This will not only make the civil service a better place to work, it will also improve the services we deliver to the public.

Computers

John Redwood: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many (a) desktop computers, (b) laptop computers and (c) tablet devices his Department has purchased in the last two years.

Nick Hurd: The Cabinet Office IT services are provided under a HM Treasury legacy contract signed by the previous Administration in 2009. The contract is for five years and includes the provision and maintenance of desktop computers and laptop computers.
	Staff can be provided with a tablet device when there is an appropriate business need. As at 1 March 2013, 18 iPads have been provided.

Conditions of Employment: North West

John Woodcock: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the number of people employed on zero-hours contracts in (a) Barrow and Furness constituency, (b) Cumbria and (c) North West England.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Glen Watson, dated April 2013
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate has been made of the number of people employed on zero-hours contracts in (a) Barrow and Furness constituency, (b) Cumbria and (c) North West England. 152631
	Information regarding people working on zero-hours contracts is available from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). A zero-hours contract is defined as an open-ended contract with no guarantee for a fixed number of hours.
	It is estimated that for the period October to December 2012 there were 15,000 people aged 16 and over employed on a zero-hours contract in the North West of England. This is 0.5 per cent of the total employment in this region. Estimates for Barrow and Furness and Cumbria are not of a sufficient quality to provide from the LFS.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty. It is estimated that the true value is likely to lie between 8,000 and 22,000 for the North West of England.

Dementia

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether his Department has a dementia strategy.

Nick Hurd: The Cabinet Office considers Dementia to be a priority for Government. That is why the Cabinet Office and the Department of Health are supporting the Dementia Friends campaign with a grant of £2.4 million. This is being delivered in partnership with the Alzheimer's Society.
	The Dementia Friends campaign aims to train over 6,000 dementia friends champions who will each recruit and train at least 150 people, resulting in one million dementia friends by 2015. More information can be found here:
	http://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/
	This campaign complements the Prime Minister's challenge to create more ‘Dementia Friendly Communities', which is part of the Alzheimer's Society's five-year strategy, 'Delivering on Dementia'. More information can be found at:
	http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=1843

Electronic Government

John Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer of 25 March 2013, Official Report, column 964W, on internet, what steps his Department took to assess the quality and timeliness of the work done by the Government Digital Service.

Nick Hurd: The Government are redesigning its digital services to make them simpler, clearer and faster for users, making them so good that people prefer to use them.
	In April 2012, the Digital Advisory Board was set up to support the Government to deliver their commitment to provide high-quality public services online by default. The Board, led by the UK Digital Champion, includes digital experts from industry, business and academia. It role is to work with the Government Digital Service and challenge the Government to deliver better services for users.

Employment: Crawley

Henry Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion of people in Crawley constituency were employed in (a) public sector, (b) private sector and (c) third sector organisations in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Glen Watson, dated April 2013
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking, what proportion of people in Crawley constituency were employed in (a) public sector, (b) private sector and (c) third sector organisations in each of the last five years for which figures are available. (152178)
	Employment statistics for local areas are calculated from the Annual Population Survey (APS). Estimates of people employed in the third sector are currently not available from APS. Individuals employed in voluntary organisations, charities and trusts are included in private sector estimates.
	Individuals in the APS are classified to the public or private sector according to their responses to the survey. In the APS the distinction between public and private sector is based on respondents' views about the organisation for which they work. The public sector estimates provided do not correspond to official Public Sector Employment estimates. Those are derived directly from employers and are based on a National Accounts' definition and are not available for areas smaller than regions.
	The tables show the number and percentage of people aged 16 to 64 years, who were employed in the public or private sector along with those who were unemployed or inactive, resident in Crawley constituency. These estimates are compiled from APS interviews held during the period January 2012 to December 2012, the latest period available, and the 12 month periods ending in December from 2008 to 2011. It should also be noted that the estimates also include people who were employed but have not provided enough information to be accurately included in either the public or private sectors.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject to a margin of uncertainty. A guide to the quality of the estimates is given in the table.
	National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at
	http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
	
		
			 Table 1: Percentage of people aged 16 to 64 years employed in the public and private sectors(1), resident in Crawley constituency 
			 Percentage 
			  Employed  
			 12 months ending: Public Private Unknown(2) Unemployed or inactive 
			 December 2008 12.7 64.2 — 22.5 
			 December 2009 15.3 57.4 — 26.7 
			 December 2010 9.9 65.5 — 24.7 
			 December 2011 9.9 67.2 — 22.2 
			 December 2012 12.4 60.6 — 25.9 
			 ‘—’ = Not available (1) Individuals in the APS are classified to the public or private sector according to their responses to the survey. (2) People who were employed but have not provided enough information to be accurately included in either the public or private sectors Note: Components may not add to 100% due to rounding and suppression of unavailable estimates. Source: Annual Population Survey 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2: Number of people aged 16 to 64 years employed in the public and private sectors(1), resident in Crawley constituency 
			 Thousand 
			 12 months ending: Public Private Unknown(2) Unemployed or inactive 
			 December 2008 9 44 — 15 
			 December 2009 11 40 — 19 
			 December 2010 7 48 — 18 
			 December 2011 7 48 — 16 
			 December 2012(3) ***9 ***45 ****— ***19 
			 ‘—’ = Not available (1 )Individuals in the APS are classified to the public or private sector according to their responses to the survey. (2) People who were employed but have not provided-enough information to be accurately included in either the public or private sectors. (3) Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates. See Guide to Quality below. Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5% we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220. Key: * 0 = CV<5%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered precise ** 5 = CV <10%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered reasonably precise *** 10 = CV <20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered acceptable **** CV ? 20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes CV = Coefficient of Variation Source: Annual Population Survey

Government Departments: Cost Effectiveness

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he last met the Scottish Government to discuss the cost-effectiveness of (a) Government Departments and (b) non-departmental bodies; and when he next plans to do so.

Francis Maude: In line with the practice of previous Administrations, details of such discussions are not normally disclosed.

Government Departments: Procurement

John Woodcock: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether any projects in the Government Major Projects Portfolio have failed to provide the required three-monthly reports to the Major Projects Authority in the last three years.

Chloe Smith: There are no projects in the Government Major Projects Portfolio that have failed to provide the required three-monthly reports to the Major Projects Authority in the last three years.

Government Departments: Procurement

John Woodcock: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will publish the current Government Major Projects Portfolio.

Chloe Smith: The Government will publish the list of projects on their Major Projects Portfolio in May 2013.

Government Departments: Standards

Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he expects to publish a revised Capabilities Review; and for what reasons publication of this review has been delayed.

Francis Maude: holding answer 17 April 2013
	The Capabilities Plan will be published imminently.
	This is the first time we have published a Capabilities Plan for the whole of the civil service. It focuses on how the whole of the civil service will be structured and managed to work together to realise its potential and address skills deficiencies in four key areas—commercial skills, project and programme management, leading and managing change, and digital service delivery.
	Publication was unfortunately delayed beyond the date committed to in the Civil Service Reform Plan. The delay was in part caused by the time taken to staff the project and the complexity of the work involved.

Government Departments: Subscriptions

Ann McKechin: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much the Government have spent on subscriptions to academic journals published by (a) Reed-Elsevier, (b) Wiley-Blackwell, (c) Springer and (d) other academic publishers in each of the last five years.

Francis Maude: My Department does not hold this information.
	Each Government Department makes its own arrangements for subscriptions to academic journals.

Infant Mortality: Greater London

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will publish infant mortality statistics for (a) Lewisham, Deptford constituency, (b) Lewisham East constituency, (c) Lewisham West constituency, (d) Penge constituency and (e) London for each year since 1987.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Glen Watson
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking if the Secretary of State for Health will publish infant mortality statistics for (a) Lewisham, Deptford constituency, (b) Lewisham East constituency, (c) Lewisham West constituency, (d) Penge constituency and (e) London for each year since 1987. [152511].
	Due to the sensitive nature of infant deaths and the risk of identifying individuals, ONS does not publish infant mortality figures for individual parliamentary constituencies. Consequently, figures for the parliamentary constituencies named above cannot be provided.
	Table 1 provides the number of infant deaths in Bromley and Lewisham local authorities (which encompass the parliamentary constituencies for which figures were requested) and London, for deaths registered between 1987 and 2011 (the latest year available).
	Figures for infant mortality in England and Wales are published annually on the ONS website at:
	http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/vsob1/child-mortality-statistics--childhood--infant-and-perinatal/index.html
	
		
			 Table 1: Number of infant deaths in Bromley and Lewisham local authorities and the London region, deaths registered between 1987 and 2011(1,2) 
			 Deaths 
			 Registration year Bromley Lewisham London 
			 1987 29 44 965 
			 1988 33 34 924 
			 1989 16 37 895 
			 1990 24 28 838 
			 1991 23 31 744 
			 1992 18 34 755 
			 1993 22 25 676 
			 1994 29 34 664 
			 1995 13 33 659 
			 1996 17 41 673 
			 1997 19 30 615 
			 1998 16 45 624 
			 1999 13 25 636 
			 2000 16 27 570 
			 2001 11 31 633 
			 2002 14 20 594 
			 2003 17 20 600 
			 2004 18 17 588 
			 2005 10 22 587 
			 2006 13 22 593 
			 2007 10 18 571 
			 2008 12 32 545 
			 2009 12 25 579 
			 2010 12 24 623 
			 2011 8 22 551 
			 (1) Figures for Bromley and Lewisham local authorities and for the London region exclude deaths of non-residents and are based on boundaries as of February 2013. (2 )Figures are based on deaths registered, rather than deaths occurring in the years 1987 to 2011. Further information on registration delays for a range of causes can be found on the ONS website: www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/user-guidance/health-and-life-events/impact-of-registration-delays-on-mortality-statistics/index.html

Ministers: Official Residences

John Mann: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of each residence used by Cabinet Ministers in each of the last three financial years.

Francis Maude: Chequers, Chevening and Dorneywood are not owned by the Government and are run and managed by independent trustees. As was the case under the previous Administration, the Government pay an annual grant in aid to the Chequers Trust, details of which are set out in the Cabinet Office Annual Report. Details on running costs for Downing Street flats are also set out in the Cabinet Office Annual Report.
	No. 1 Carlton Gardens is a matter for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Hillsborough Castle for the Northern Ireland Office.

Official Hospitality

Priti Patel: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible claimed reimbursements for working lunches and official entertainment in each of the last five years; and what the total cost was in each such year.

Francis Maude: The information is not available in the format requested.
	Any expenditure on hospitality is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in “Managing Public Money” and the Treasury handbook on “Regularity & Propriety”.

Oral Questions

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office with reference to the announcement on 28 March 2013 that the right hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings had been appointed as Minister without Portfolio, whether the Minister will be answering oral questions in the House.

Francis Maude: holding answer 17 April 2013
	Oral questions to Ministers within the Cabinet Office can be put to Cabinet Office Ministers including at Cabinet Office orals.

Procurement: Department for Work and Pensions

Robert Halfon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if his Department will carry out a value-for-money assessment of the (a) clauses encouraging the hiring of apprentices and (b) other aspects of the Department for Work and Pensions' standard contract introduced in July 2011; and if he will make a statement.

Francis Maude: The Government's prime concern is to drive value for money through its procurement.
	As yet there has been no formal assessment of the apprenticeship clauses in the Department for Work and Pension's (DWP) standard contract. The DWP is currently giving consideration to the use and potential cost of a pan-Government single supplier registration and data gathering tool, which would support the monitoring and evaluation of this schedule.

Public Appointments

Harriet Harman: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many public appointments at (a) Chair, (b) Director and (c) Chief Executive Officer level have been made to people identified as (i) Conservative, (ii) Labour and (iii) Liberal Democrat supporters since May 2010.

Francis Maude: holding answer 18 April 2013
	The Commissioner for Public Appointments collects and publishes data annually on the public appointments within his regulatory remit.
	As was the case under the previous Administration, the Commissioner's reports include information on political activity for the minority of appointees who declare this.

Public Sector: Procurement

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the total value of (a) public service contracts and (b) grants that have been awarded by (i) central Government and (ii) local authorities to voluntary sector organisations in each financial year since 2008-09.

Nick Hurd: Information on central Government spend with the voluntary and charitable sector (including both grants and contracts) is available through Departmental Business Plan Quarterly Data Summaries, published at:
	http://www.number10.gov.uk/transparency/how-your-money-is-spent/
	The Cabinet Office does not hold information on equivalent spend from local authorities.

Staff

Priti Patel: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many days of work were carried out by officials in (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on average in each of the last five years; and what the total salary cost was of officials in each year.

Francis Maude: Within the Cabinet Office and our agencies and non-departmental public bodies the average number of days (excluding weekends, public holidays, and annual leave) worked by officials over the past five years is:
	
		
			  Days 
			 Cabinet Office 219.5 
			 Agencies 222 
			 Non-departmental public bodies 219 
		
	
	Annual salary costs are published in the annual accounts of the Cabinet Office, its agencies and NDPBs, and these can be found here:
	http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/

Suicide: Males

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will request the Office for National Statistics to cross-classify male suicides in England and Wales by the calendar-year quarter of (a) their occurrence and (b) the date of their registration (registration-date) for the most recent 12 months for which figures are available.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Glen Watson, dated April 2013
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office the Office for National Statistics to cross-classify male suicides in England and Wales by the calendar-year quarter of (a) their occurrence and (b) the date of their registration (registration-date) for the most recent 12 months for which figures are available.
	Table 1 provides the number of deaths where the underlying cause was suicide, by quarter of death occurrence and quarter of death registration, in England and Wales, for deaths which occurred in 2011 and were registered by 31 December 2011 (the latest available period).
	Due to the length of time it takes to hold an inquest, it can take months for a suicide to be registered. The latest statistical bulletin showed that the median registration delay for suicides was 158 days in England and Wales in 2011.
	More information on registration delays for other causes can be found on the ONS website:
	www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/user-guidance/health-and-life-events/impact-of-registration-delays-on-mortality-statistics/index.html
	Figures for suicides in the United Kingdom, England and Wales, and regions of England, by age and sex, are published annually on the ONS website. The latest statistical bulletin also includes analysis of the impact of registration delays on UK suicide statistics:
	www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/all-releases.html?definition=tcm%3A77-29400
	
		
			 Table 1. Number of male deaths where the underlying cause was suicide, by quarter of death occurrence and quarter of death registration, England and Wales, for deaths which occurred and were registered in 2011(1,2,3,4) 
			 Suicides (males) 
			  Quarter of registration 
			 Quarter of occurrence January to March April to June July to September October to December 
			 January to March 52 354 284 118 
			 April to June 0 56 371 288 
			 July to September 0 0 38 366 
			 October to December 0 0 0 41 
			 (1) Suicide was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes X60-X84 (Intentional self-harm) and Y10-Y34 (Events of undetermined intent). (2) Figures are for males aged 15 years and over. (3) Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents, (4) Figures are for deaths which occurred in 2011, and were registered by 31 December 2011. Further information on registration delays for a range of causes can be found on the ONS website: www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/user-guidance/health-and-life-events/impact-of-registration-delays-on-mortality-statistics/index.html

Visits Abroad

John Redwood: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what his Department's budget was for overseas travel for officials and Ministers in 2012-13.

Francis Maude: The Cabinet Office does not record overseas travel separately in its budgeting. Details of overseas travel by ministers in my Department are published quarterly.

Young People

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether his Department has assessed the factors determining the higher proportion of young men relative to women who live with their parents.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Glen Watson
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to respond to your question, asking the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the Department has assessed the factors determining the higher proportion of young men relative to young women who live with their parents. (152592)
	The Office for National Statistics published a report in May 2012 about young adults aged 20 to 34 living with their parents in the UK, including differences by sex. This was based on data from the Labour Force Survey.
	Analysis of where all young men and women were living showed that young women were more likely to be living as part of a couple in their own household (as they tend to form relationships with men older than themselves on average) and were more likely to be a lone parent in their own household. In addition the proportion of women going on to higher education is higher than for men, so young women may be more likely to move away from the parental home to do so. All of these factors contribute to a higher proportion of young men relative to women living with their parents.
	The full report can be found here:
	http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/family-demography/young-adults-living-with-parents/2011/young-adults-rpt.html

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Crime: Disability

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General 
	(1)  on how many occasions the Crown Prosecution Service has taken no further action with regard to a suspect whose file had been marked with a disability hate crime flag in each of the last five years;
	(2)  if he will publish a breakdown by Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) business area of (a) the number of suspects with a disability hate crime flag on their files referred to the CPS for a charging decision, (b) the number of occasions that the CPS took no further action and (c) the conviction rate in each of the last five years.

Dominic Grieve: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has maintained a central record of the numbers of suspects and defendants in cases flagged as disability hate crime since April 2007.
	The CPS defines disability hate crime as any incident which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards a person because of their disability or perceived disability. The data are accurate only to the extent that the flag has been correctly applied.
	The following tables show, in each of the last five years for each CPS business area, (a) the number of disability hate crime cases referred to the CPS for a pre-charge decision, (b) the number of these pre-charge decisions in which the CPS decided to take no further action and (c) the conviction rate of defendants prosecuted for disability hate crimes.
	
		
			 (a) Total pre-charge decisions 
			 Number 
			  2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 Total 444 720 690 643 579 
			       
			 Cymru Wales 42 63 39 46 45 
			 Eastern 16 50 43 15 33 
			 East Midlands 43 47 70 29 34 
			 London 67 103 75 55 48 
			 Merseyside and Cheshire 16 48 64 44 61 
			 North East 16 34 48 43 26 
			 North West 47 93 103 135 112 
			 South East 32 42 50 51 47 
			 South West 27 34 26 36 17 
			 Thames and Chiltern 9 28 37 37 18 
			 Wessex 28 .30 24 21 18 
			 West Midlands 66 82 57 74 70 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 35 66 54 57 50 
		
	
	
		
			 (b) Total no further action 
			 Number 
			  2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 Total 109 157 134 136 127 
			       
			 Cymru Wales 11 13 14 12 9 
			 Eastern 2 7 8 5 7 
			 East Midlands 11 6 16 3 7 
			 London 16 34 17 11 8 
			 Merseyside and Cheshire 6 12 16 8 13 
			 North East 2 9 4 5 7 
			 North West 18 26 25 39 33 
			 South East 8 7 8 6 8 
			 South West 8 3 1 4 1 
			 Thames and Chiltern 2 11 3 3 6 
			 Wessex 5 5 4 3 6 
			 West Midlands 15 16 10 29 10 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 5 8 8 8 12 
		
	
	
		
			 (c) Conviction rate 
			 Percentage 
			  2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 Total 76.1 75.7 79.8 77.3 77.2 
			       
			 Cymru Wales 72.0 78.3 81.3 82.1 77.6 
			 Eastern 94.1 79.5 77.1 86.7 71.4 
			 East Midlands 74.1 75.5 86.2 75.0 88.0 
		
	
	
		
			 London 60.5 60.7 71.4 71.2 55.0 
			 North East 78.6 65.7 73.2 76.1 79.2 
			 North West 78.3 75.0 87.5 84.1 72.2 
			 South East 84.4 84.4 87.6 73.6 80.4 
			 South West 82.9 72.5 73.7 80.0 64.1 
			 Thames and Chiltern 58.3 83.7 83.0 77.8 83.3 
			 Wessex 71.4 79.2 86.7 76.0 67.9 
			 West Midlands 87.0 81.1 76.0 76.2 83.3 
			 Merseyside and Cheshire 73.8 75.6 77.6 76.5 80.6 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 89.3 83.3 77.0 78.3 92.7

Crime: Disability

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how much the Crown Prosecution Service spent on training for its lawyers to identify and prosecute disability hate crime in each of the last five years.

Dominic Grieve: Stopping hate crime and bringing perpetrators to justice is a priority for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The CPS has recorded the following spending on direct costs for prosecuting disability hate crime training during the past four financial years. Expenditure on training for disability hate crime in 2008-09 has not been recorded.
	2009-10: £20,948
	2010-11: £1,450
	2011-12: £2,340
	2012-13: £2,419.
	In addition to this the CPS spent £3,000 in 2011-12 and £3,000 in 2012-13 on conferences for CPS hate crime co-ordinators, which included coverage of disability hate crime.

Crime: Disability

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General what training Crown Prosecution Service lawyers have received on identifying and prosecuting disability hate crime.

Dominic Grieve: Stopping hate crime and bringing perpetrators to justice is a priority for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
	The CPS has an online e-learning course titled “Prosecuting Hate Crime”. The course includes the legal guidance on disability hate crime and the identification of such offences, as well as covering more broadly the policies and guidance on the prosecution of all types of hate crime. The course has been undertaken by 2,999 employees since its launch in March/April 2010.
	In December 2011 and November 2012, national conferences were held for the CPS's Hate Crime Co-ordinators. The first focused exclusively on disability hate crime and the second covered the use of special measures, disability hate crime case handling and accurate recording. The co-ordinators were required to cascade the information from the conferences to lawyers in their local areas.
	Local Scrutiny and Involvement Panels (LSIPs) are made up of community representatives and staff. They scrutinise closed hate crime cases in order to provide feedback to enable the CPS (and thus its lawyers) to improve prosecutions in these cases. The mechanism for disseminating the feedback and any related training is determined at local level.
	A range of different training courses on hate crime, including the identification and prosecution of disability hate crime, has also been locally delivered to lawyers within CPS Areas and CPS Direct, according to local training needs. Some of these courses have been accredited for the purpose of continuing professional development.

Criminal Proceedings

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General on how many occasions the Crown Prosecution Service has failed to comply with orders made by the court at a plea and case management hearing or any subsequent hearing regarding service of evidence in each of the last five years.

Dominic Grieve: The CPS implemented changes to the Case Management System (CMS) to enable CPS staff from April 2012 to report on data in relation to managing Judges' directions and applications in respect of finalised cases. The following table sets out the number of judges’ orders recorded in the Crown Court for orders concerning the service of evidence.
	
		
			 April 2012 to March 2013 
			  Total directions Directions complied with Directions complied with timeously Directions complied with out of time Directions not complied with 
			 All service of evidence directions 22,260 19,304 12,167 7,137 2,956 
		
	
	No central record of judges' orders was maintained prior to April 2012. Therefore obtaining information for periods prior to that time would involve consulting individual case files and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

Criminal Proceedings

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how many times a defendant has been released because a judge has refused to extend the custody time limit in each of the last five years.

Dominic Grieve: A defendant in custody awaiting trial must be released on bail where a court determines that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) or the police have not prepared the case with the necessary diligence and expedition. A defendant must also normally be released where the court is unable to list the case for trial within the statutory time limit. Such releases are always reviewed in conjunction with the police to ensure the safety of anyone affected.
	The CPS does not maintain a central record for all cases where a defendant was released due to a refusal to extend the custody time limit. Such information cannot reasonably be obtained locally or nationally other than by undertaking a manual exercise of reviewing individual file records which would incur a disproportionate cost.
	The CPS has maintained a central record for the last two years for cases where the CPS was primarily responsible for a judge's refusal to extend a custody time limit. The following table shows, in each of the last two years, the number of defendants released on bail or retained in custody for other reasons:
	
		
			  Bailed Not bailed Total 
			 2011-12 22 6 28 
			 2012-13 8 3 11

Crown Prosecution Service

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General whether he intends there to be any compulsory redundancies within the Crown Prosecution Service in the next three years.

Oliver Heald: The Crown Prosecution Service has a range of measures designed to avoid compulsory redundancy and has not made any posts redundant compulsory since 1999. It will continue to use these approaches to avoid compulsory redundancies wherever possible over the next three years.

Crown Prosecution Service: Logica

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General 
	(1)  what alternative procurement strategies were considered by the Crown Prosecution Service prior to its decision to lease laptops from Logica; and for what reasons these alternatives were rejected;
	(2)  what the cost has been to the Crown Prosecution Service of providing its staff with (a) Logica laptops and (b) associated software, accessories and maintenance; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  how many laptops have been provided to Crown Prosecution Service staff under its contract with Logica to date.

Dominic Grieve: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) awarded a 10-year public finance initiative (PFI) contract to CGI (formerly Logica) on 31 December 2001 for the provision of full IT services as a managed service. The contract encompasses the supply of infrastructure as well as desktop and mobile IT equipment. The original contract included a provision to extend for up to five years.
	In 2008-09 the ICT Services ‘Beyond 2012 Project’ was established to evaluate and set out the financial and non-financial evaluation of the procurement options, and followed a rigorous CPS internal governance review and approval process.
	In 2009 the CPS board approved the business case and decision to extend the IT managed service contract from 2009 to 2015 based on a full appraisal and assessment of the procurement options available, including alternative providers.
	The option to extend the CGI contract until 31 March 2015 was approved on the basis that it was most closely aligned to the delivery of the Department's strategic objectives, and delivered substantial savings between 2012 and 2015 that were unlikely to be achieved from a re-procurement while presenting the lowest risk to business critical service continuity.
	The provision of mobile IT equipment and associated software, security maintenance and support was an integral part of the PFI offer.
	Cost of laptop service
	The following table represents the annual costs of providing the laptop service to Crown Prosecution Service staff. The cost of the first 100 laptops is part of a general fixed charge and is not separately distinguishable. The costs represent the variable balance charged for the remaining number and include the associated software, accessories and maintenance.
	
		
			 Financial year Yearly cost excluding VAT (£) 
			 2002-03 86,609.16 
			 2003-04 309,802.60 
			 2004-05 368,632.99 
			 2005-06 248,754.10 
			 2006-07 200,808.25 
			 2007-08 341,698.66 
			 2008-09 631,433.10 
			 2009-10 679,296.21 
			 2010-11 613,502.80 
			 2011-12 602,198.00 
			 2012-13 369,659.50 
		
	
	The average number of laptops provided to staff by the Crown Prosecution Service under the CGI contract for each year is as follows:
	
		
			 Financial year Average 
			 2002-03 233 
			 2003-04 620 
			 2004-05 702 
			 2005-06 494 
			 2006-07 408 
			 2007-08 480 
			 2008-09 998 
			 2009-10 1,036 
			 2010-11 1,040 
			 2011-12 1,024 
			 2012-13 668 
		
	
	In February 2012, the Crown Prosecution Service introduced tablet devices for use by advocates and other operational lawyers to support the presentation of cases in court:
	
		
			 Financial year Average 
			 2011-12: (1)1,164 
			 2012-13: 3,596 
			 (1) February to March 
		
	
	As of March 2013, 4,439 had been deployed.
	The yearly support cost (excluding VAT) for the tablet service is as follows and includes associated software, accessories and maintenance costs:
	2011-12: £74,231
	2012-13: £1,376,389.
	To facilitate the bulk purchase of tablets the CPS paid a commissioning charge per tablet which for 4,700 tablets was £4,066,722 (excluding VAT).

Domestic Violence: Prosecutions

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General if he will publish a breakdown by Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) business area of (a) domestic violence-flagged cases referred to the CPS for a charging decision, (b) decisions to take no further action on domestic violence-flagged cases and (c) the conviction rate for domestic violence-flagged cases in each of the last five years.

Dominic Grieve: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) maintains a central record of the numbers of domestic violence-flagged cases in its case management system and associated management information system.
	The CPS defines domestic violence as any threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between those who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality. Family members include mother, father, son, daughter, sister, and grandparents, whether directly related, in-laws or step family. The data are accurate only to the extent that the flag has been correctly applied.
	The following tables show, in each of the last five years for each CPS business area, (a) the number of domestic violence flagged cases referred to the CPS for a pre-charge decision, (b) the number of these pre-charge decisions in which the CPS decided to take no further action and (c) the conviction rate of defendants prosecuted for domestic violence.
	
		
			 (a) Total pre-charge decisions 
			  2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 Total 80,423 91,184 101,242 95,117 88,110 
			       
			 Cymru Wales 5,435 6,540 6,750 6,902 6,853 
			 Eastern 5,264 6,361 7,143 6,799 6,556 
			 East Midlands 5,822 6,704 8,067 8,075 6,937 
			 London 9,534 10,217 12,329 11,893 12,035 
			 Merseyside and Cheshire 4,441 4,373 4,407 4,002 3,986 
			 North East 5,056 5,250 5,956 5,203 5,023 
			 North West 10,094 12,385 15,037 14,619 11,980 
			 South East 4,217 4,772 5,121 4,334 4,997 
			 South West 4,736 5,103 5,908 5,175- 4,690 
			 Thames and Chiltern 3,882 4,708 5,434 4,838 4,280 
			 Wessex 5,278 5,249 5,281 4,932 4,471 
			 West Midlands 8,871 9,843 10,049 9,249 7,956 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 7,793 9,679 9,760 9,096 8,346 
		
	
	
		
			 (b) Total no further action 
			  2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 Total 20,475 24,274 27,132 24,581 23,518 
			       
			 Cymru Wales 1,523 1,911 1,960 1,844 2,052 
			 Eastern 1,423 1,857 2,145 1,787 1,765 
			 East Midlands 1,360 1,528 2,122 2,283 1,767 
			 London 2,797 2,811 2,939 2,863 3,787 
			 Merseyside and Cheshire 1,061 1,385 1,369 1,292 1,153 
			 North East 979 967 1,021 979 1,286 
			 North West 2,775 3,493 4,571 4,382 3,314 
			 South East 967 1,048 1,211 954 1,283 
			 South West 1,032 1,077 1,301 1,059 944 
			 Thames and Chiltern 1,178 1,438 1,408 1,167 1,126 
			 Wessex 1,308 1,413 1,387 1,293 1,033 
			 West Midlands 2,454 2,922 3,159 2,616 2,142 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 1,618 2,424 2,539 2,062 1,866 
		
	
	
		
			 (c) Conviction rate 
			 Percentage 
			  2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 Total 72.2 72.0 71.9 73.3 74.3 
			       
			 Cymru Wales 73.0 73.2 72.7 75.6 79.0 
			 Eastern 76.0 78.0 79.5 82.7 80.7 
			 East Midlands 71.8 72.4 74.2 74.5 75.5 
			 London 61.9 59.7 58.7 62.7 61.7 
			 Merseyside and Cheshire 69.9 69.7 70.6 77.1 77.7 
			 North East ' 72.1 73.5 73.5 74.6 75.3 
			 North West 76.8 76.3 75.0 74.2 77.9 
			 South East 74.1 75.0 74.8 77.0 75.3 
			 South West 75.2 76.1 75.4 76.5 75.4 
			 Thames and Chiltern 69.1 69.5 73.4 72.1 70.9 
			 Wessex 71.0 71.3 70.8 70.6 73.3 
			 West Midlands 72.6 71.4 71.9 72.7 74.0 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 75.4 73.8 72.8 73.6 75.2

Evidence

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how many times the Crown Prosecution Service served an application to adduce bad character pursuant to section 101 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 or hearsay evidence pursuant to sections 114 or 116 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 where such applications failed to comply with the time limits as set out in the Criminal Procedure Rules 2011 in each of the last five years.

Dominic Grieve: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not maintain a central record of the number of times a CPS prosecutor has served a bad character or hearsay evidence application. To provide this information would require a manual search of files which would incur a disproportionate cost.

Offences against Children: Prosecutions

Ann Coffey: To ask the Attorney-General what the success rate of the Crown Prosecution Service has been in prosecuting child sexual abuse cases since January 2013; and if he will make a statement.

Dominic Grieve: The CPS maintains a central record of the number of finalised defendant prosecutions who were prosecuted under charges relating to sexual offences. The CPS also identifies all cases involving a victim under 18 years of age. The following table sets out the number of prosecutions for sexual offences where the victim was under 18 years of age since January 2013:
	
		
			  2013 
			  January February March 3 month total 
			  Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage 
			 Convictions 205 76.5 245 74.2 280 80.2 730 77.1 
			 Unsuccessful 63 23.5 85 25.8 69 19.8 217 22.9 
			 Total 268 — 330 — 349 — 947 — 
		
	
	This definition includes crimes perpetrated by both adults and under 18s.

Prosecutions

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how many cases the Crown Prosecution Service dropped at the pre-charging stage in each of the last seven years.

Dominic Grieve: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) maintains a central record of the numbers of suspects referred to prosecutors for a pre-charge decision since statutory charging was fully rolled out across England and Wales in April 2006.
	The following table shows, in each of the last seven years for which figures are available, the number of cases in which the CPS decided to take no further action at the pre-charge decision stage.
	
		
			  No further action (NFA) Percentage NFA Total pre-charge decisions 
			 2006-07 186,140 31.9 582,760 
			 2007-08 160,951 29.4 547,050 
			 2008-09 140,895 26.5 532,427 
			 2009-10 127,502 26.7 477,517 
			 2010-11 119,160 25.5 466,611 
			 2011-12 87,992 24.0 367,067 
			 2012-13 71,215 23.8 299,345

Prosecutions

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how many Crown Prosecution Service prosecutions in (a) magistrates courts and (b) Crown Courts there were in each of the last eight years.

Dominic Grieve: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) maintains a central record of the number of defendants who were prosecuted in magistrates courts and in the Crown court.
	The figures in the following tables represent the numbers of defendants prosecuted together with the outcome of proceedings prosecuted by the CPS, in each of the last eight years. Outcomes are divided into convictions, including guilty pleas as well as convictions after trial, and unsuccessful outcomes, comprising all other outcomes.
	
		
			 (a) Magistrates courts 
			  Convictions Unsuccessful Total 
			  Number Percentage Number Percentage  
			 2005-06 881,861 82.5 186,884 17.5 1,068,745 
			 2006-07 831,093 84.1 156,939 15.9 988,032 
		
	
	
		
			 2007-08 828,535 85.7 138,130 14.3 966,665 
			 2008-09 810,605 87.3 118,103 12.7 928,708 
			 2009-10 757,349 86.8 115,236 13.2 872,585 
			 2010-11 727,625 86.5 113,555 13.5 841,180 
			 2011-12 682,872 86.7 105,086 13.3 787,958 
			 2012-13 610,362 86.2 97,633 13.8 707,995 
		
	
	
		
			 (b) Crown court 
			  Convictions Unsuccessful Total 
			  Number Percentage Number Percentage  
			 2005-06 69,832 76.4 21,526 23.6 91,358 
			 2006-07 69,549 77.0 20,720 23.0 90,269 
			 2007-08 77,428 79.4 20,101 20.6 97,529 
			 2008-09 84,000 80.9 19,890 19.1 103,890 
			 2009-10 88,872 80.7 21,274 19.3 110,146 
			 2010-11 93,706 79.6 23,948 20.4 117,654 
			 2011-12 87,785 80.9 20,762 19.1 108,547 
			 2012-13 79,391 80.6 19,072 19.4 98,463

Prosecutions

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General what proportion of Crown Prosecution Service cases were conducted paperlessly in the last 12 months.

Dominic Grieve: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not keep statistics on the proportion of cases that have been conducted from receipt to disposal without the use of paper. To obtain and collate this information would incur a disproportionate cost.
	Over the last 12 months, the CPS has made substantial progress with its Transformation Through Technology (T3) Programme, which is designed to transform the work of the service by moving case preparation, progression and presentation away from paper to digital, using existing technology.
	Most police forces are now transferring over 90% of all case files electronically to the CPS with paper only by exception. All magistrates courts are now able to receive digital case files from the CPS, and almost 4,500 tablet devices have been deployed to CPS staff: prosecutors are increasingly using them to present cases in court instead of paper files.

Prosecutions

Philip Davies: To ask the Attorney-General pursuant to the answer of 10 April 2013, Official Report, column 1138W, on Crown Prosecution Service, how many advocates are prosecuting cases in court for the Crown Prosecution Service.

Dominic Grieve: According to Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) records, as at 17 April 2013, the CPS employs 2,539 advocates who regularly undertake regular advocacy in court. In addition, the CPS employs 591 lawyers in management, specialist and legal trainee positions who might undertake advocacy occasionally although not as their primary function.
	In addition to the in-house advocates identified above, throughout 2012-13 the CPS paid fees to 3,627 individual self-employed advocates.

Rape: Prosecutions

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General whether the Crown Prosecution Service records the number of occasions on which it has dropped a rape case wholly or partly because the complainant has received therapy since the alleged attack.

Dominic Grieve: The Crown Prosecution Service does not maintain a central record of the number of rape prosecutions dropped because the complainant has received therapy since the alleged attack. Such data could not be reasonably obtained locally or nationally other than by a manual exercise at disproportionate cost.

Rape: Prosecutions

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General if he will publish a breakdown by Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) business area of (a) rape-flagged cases referred to the CPS for a charging decision, (b) decisions to take no further action on rape-flagged cases and (c) the conviction rate for rape cases in each of the last five years.

Dominic Grieve: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) maintains a central record of the numbers of cases flagged as rape in its case management system and associated management information system.
	The CPS defines rape as any offence from the following list:
	Section 1 Sexual Offences Act 1956;
	Section 5 Sexual Offences Act 1956;
	Section 1 Sexual Offences Act 2003;
	Section 5 Sexual Offences Act 2003;
	Section 30(3) Sexual Offences Act 2003;
	An attempt to commit any of the above offences under the Criminal Attempts Act 1981;
	Incitement or conspiracy to commit any of the above offences.
	It is not possible to disaggregate figures to show separately the volume and outcome of proceedings for each individual offence on this list. A single defendant may be charged with more than one offence. The data are accurate only to the extent that the flag has been correctly applied.
	The following tables show, in each of the last five years for each CPS business area, (a) the number of rape-flagged cases referred to the CPS for a pre-charge decision, (b) the number of these pre-charge decisions in which the CPS decided to take no further action, and (c) the conviction rate of defendants flagged as rape.
	
		
			 (a) Total pre-charge decisions 
			  2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 Total 6,597 7,683 8,130 6,822 5,404 
			 Cymru Wales 515 580 605 497 477 
			 Eastern 390 403 510 422 319 
			 East Midlands 498 536 528 504 361 
			 London 993 1,256 1,481 1,122 844 
			 Merseyside and Cheshire 288 354 442 429 342 
			 North East 358 421 405 345 293 
			 North West 671 818 860 752 623 
			 South East 366 527 493 400 378 
			 South West 359 367 315 349 302 
		
	
	
		
			 Thames and Chiltern 324 419 464 385 277 
			 Wessex 383 384 475 377 296 
			 West Midlands 856 964 869 729 524 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 596 654 683 511 368 
		
	
	
		
			 (b) Total no further action 
			  2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 Total 3,511 4,186 4,361 3,305 2,211 
			 Cymru Wales 309 304 347 268 236 
			 Eastern 221 226 275 213 175 
			 East Midlands 301 258 256 254 155 
			 London 410 666 812 564 269 
			 Merseyside and Cheshire 184 248 311 285 249 
			 North East 194 220 177 164 116 
			 North West 346 438 464 337 258 
			 South East 192 264 238 155 160 
			 South West 171 200 114 131 85 
			 Thames and Chiltern 190 273 233 165 98 
			 Wessex 217 209 299 200 107 
			 West Midlands 478 556 524 355 220 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 298 324 311 214 83 
		
	
	
		
			 (c) Conviction rate 
			 Percentage 
			  2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 Total 57.7 59.4 58.6 62.5 63.2 
			 Cymru Wales 56.3 59.3 52.5 62.5 57.9 
			 Eastern 61.9 69.2 68.4 69.0 67.7 
			 East Midlands 55.2 66.9 56.7 66.9 67.6 
			 London 47.0 45.5 52.0 55.4 55.0 
			 Merseyside and Cheshire 65.7 66.1 57.7 57.0 70.9 
			 North East 64.0 67.6 65.5 56.4 63.3 
			 North West 60.6 66.0 62.3 62.7 62.2 
			 South East 62.1 61.2 55.2 63.9 64.0 
			 South West 56.7 57.7 69.4 68.1 66.0 
			 Thames and Chiltern 51.0 64.4 55.0 61.6 61.9 
			 Wessex 60.4 60.4 53.3 68.3 67.2 
			 West Midlands 61.2 62.0 60.6 61.9 67.2 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 67.0 64.2 64.0 66.1 67.0

Rape: Victim Support Schemes

Jim Shannon: To ask the Attorney-General what steps he is taking to provide support for victims of rape through the justice system.

Dominic Grieve: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) takes all allegations of rape seriously. Supporting victims of rape through the criminal justice process is vital to successful prosecutions. The CPS works closely with the police and voluntary sector agencies to ensure that specialist support is provided to victims early on and then at all stages throughout the court process.

Sentencing

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General on how many occasions Crown Prosecution Service prosecutors requested an uplift in sentencing under section 146 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 in each of the last five years.

Dominic Grieve: The CPS does not maintain a central record of the number of occasions that CPS prosecutors requested an uplift in sentencing under section 146 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003. This information could be obtained only by consulting individual files which would incur a disproportionate cost.

Serious Fraud Office

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney General pursuant to the answer of 21 March 2013, Official Report, column 747W on Serious Fraud Office; what the (a) value and (b) source of the gifts received by the Serious Fraud Office is; and if he will provide the value of the gifts received since 2009-10 and the identities of the companies who gave them.

Dominic Grieve: A table containing the information requested has been placed in the Library of the House(1).
	(1) The data provided in the table also relate to data provided in the answer of 19 March 2013, Official Report, column 631W, which contained the following typographical errors. The value of the third largest entry in 2009-10 was £75 rather than £70. The five highest value entries for 2011-12 were £200, £120, £104, £95 and £71. The total value of gifts and hospitality in 2011-12 has been recalculated due to these errors and equals £1,183.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Apprentices

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many apprentices are currently employed by her Department; and how many such apprentices are aged (a) under 19, (b) 19 to 25, (c) 26 to 30, (d) 31 to 60 and (e) over 60.

Hugh Robertson: The Department does not currently employ any apprentices, but is committed to the Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship Scheme, which opened on 15 April 2013. It expects to employ some apprentices, selected through that scheme, from September 2013 onwards.

Gaming Machines

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  whether the Government plan to bring forward further legislative proposals to control the spread of adult gaming centres;
	(2)  what restrictions there are on the number of adult gaming centres allowed in a designated area.

Hugh Robertson: Councils have powers under the Gambling Act 2005 to license adult gaming centres and address problems by individual premises. In addition, councils have a range of planning powers to protect local amenity; for example, the London borough of Barking and Dagenham has been consulting on an Article 4 Direction and associated supplementary planning guidance to address the proliferation of betting shops in the local area.

Performing Arts

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received on the capacity of (a) Festival for Stars Talent Search UK Ltd and (b) other such organisations to provide promised prizes, contracts and appearances; and if she will make a statement.

Jo Swinson: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	This Department has received one recent piece of correspondence concerning Festival for Stars Talent Search UK Ltd and a predecessor business. I have received no representations relating to other such organisations.
	Consumer protection legislation provides consumers with additional rights which they are able to exert when contracts are breached, if necessary through the small claims court. Legislation also provides for enforcement action in respect of criminal offences where services are marketed or described in a misleading or deceptive way.
	I understand that the Staffordshire and Blackpool Trading Standards Services have already been contacted on the matter. Any consumers with concerns about business behaviour or evidence of deceptiveness should bring the matter to the attention of their local authority trading standards service.

JUSTICE

Animal Welfare: Sentencing

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will undertake a general review of sentencing for crimes of promoting and organising animal fighting; and if he will make a statement.

David Heath: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
	Organised animal fights are prohibited by the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The maximum penalty is a fine of £20,000 and/or six months’ imprisonment. Sections 85-87 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 provide powers to remove the maximum limits of penalties imposed on offenders by magistrates courts. However these sections have not yet been commenced.

Expert Evidence

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will take steps to ensure that expert witnesses can access medical records in the event of an interview with a prisoner under the auspices of a legal visit; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Lamb: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department of Health.
	An expert witness may access an offender's national health service medical record in England, with the explicit consent of the offender. Where an offender does not consent to access of his or her medical records by an expert witness, and also where the record holder does not support disclosure of the record in the public interest, an expert witness can access the record provided a court order authorises this.

TREASURY

Banks: Finance

Peter Lilley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which measures his Department has introduced since 2008 to require UK-based banks to hold additional capital.

Greg Clark: The Government support the implementation of the Basel international standards. Capital Requirements Directive (CRD) 4 improves both the quantity and quality of regulatory capital banks are required to hold. CRD 4 also provides supervisors with a range of discretionary tools for increasing firms' capital requirements.
	The Banking Reform Bill will from 2019 require ring-fenced retail banks to hold an additional equity capital buffer above and beyond the new international standards. Ring-fenced banks and UK-headquartered global banking groups will also be required to hold a minimum amount of loss-absorbing bail-in debt.
	In addition, the Government have created the Financial Policy Committee (FPC) at the Bank of England, charged with identifying, monitoring and taking action to remove or reduce systemic risks to the stability of the financial system. Among the FPC's powers will be the power to vary capital requirements in certain circumstances.

Capital Gains Tax

John Stevenson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what revenue accrued from capital gains tax on private rented residential properties in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13.

David Gauke: The information requested is not available.

Child Benefit

Alan Beith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent estimate he has made of the cost of means-testing household income to determine eligibility for child benefit.

David Gauke: The Government considered a number of different options relating to child benefit, including how any change should be delivered. Looking at household income would mean finding out the incomes of everyone in each of the 8 million households getting child benefit. This would effectively introduce a new means test. Our approach means that HMRC only had to contact around 15% of those families.

Cleveland Fire Brigade: Mutual Societies

Jenny Chapman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what funding his Department has allocated to support the project of mutualisation of Cleveland Fire Service.

Danny Alexander: HM Treasury has allocated funding to departmental programmes such as the Cabinet Office Mutuals Support Programme, which supports emerging and established public service mutuals. These Departments are responsible for deciding how these funds are spent within their agreed delegations.

Departmental Expenditure Limits

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what amount (a) in today's prices and (b) as a percentage Departmental Resource DEL budgets (excluding depreciation) have been adjusted for (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14 and (iii) 2014-15 as a result of the policy announced in the Autumn Statement 2011 that public sector pay awards would average one per cent for each of the two years following the end of the pay freeze.

Danny Alexander: This information is in the public domain. For convenience, I advise the following links.
	The reduction in departmental budgets as a result of this measure was set out in a written ministerial statement on 8 December 2011 and can be found at the following link:
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm111208/wmstext/111208m0001.htm
	The most recent GDP deflators can be found on the Treasury website:
	http://hm-treasury.gov.uk/data_gdp_fig.htm
	The latest departmental control totals can be found in table 2.4 of the Budget 2012 document:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/budget2013.htm

Income Tax

Katy Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make an assessment of the effects of decreasing the 40% income tax threshold in Budget 2013 on those households affected.

David Gauke: By April 2014, the personal allowance will have risen by £3,525 since 2010—an increase of 54%. Together these increases will benefit 25 million individuals, and take 2.7 million low income individuals out of income tax by April 2014.
	To make this reform affordable, the Government have focused much of the benefit of the increases in the personal allowance on those with low and middle incomes. The higher rate threshold has been reduced to help achieve this.
	Higher rate taxpayers have also benefited from increases in the personal allowance—a typical higher rate taxpayer will have gained by £224 in real terms in 2014-15.

Income Tax

Katy Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many additional households will be brought into the 40% income tax band in 2015 as a result of the reductions in thresholds made since 2010.

David Gauke: By April 2014, the personal allowance will have risen by £3,525 since 2010—an increase of 54%. Together these increases will benefit 25 million individuals, and take 2.7 million low income individuals out of income tax by April 2014.
	To make this reform affordable, the Government have focused much of the benefit of the increases in the personal allowance on those with low and middle incomes. The higher rate threshold has been reduced to help achieve this.
	HMRC estimates that there will be an additional 2.2 million individuals brought into the 40% income tax band in 2015 as a result of the reductions in thresholds made since 2010, and 1.4 million of these individuals will have been brought into the 40% income tax band as a result of decisions made by this Government alone. Around three-quarters of these individuals remain better off as a result of the significant increases in the personal allowance made by this Government.

Inheritance Tax

John Stevenson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of revenue foregone owing to inheritance tax exemptions in each of the last five financial years;
	(2)  how much revenue was raised from inheritance tax in each of the last five financial years.

David Gauke: Revenue foregone owing to major inheritance tax exemptions is published at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/expenditures/table1-5.pdf
	Similar information for more minor exemptions is published at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/expenditures/table-b1.pdf
	Revenue foregone for previous years is not available for the exemptions covered in these tables. However the amount of inheritance tax exemptions set against assets for the last five financial years, for estates above the inheritance tax threshold, is published at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/inheritance/table12-2.pdf
	Revenue foregone due to exemptions for charities is given at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/charity/table10-2.pdf
	Revenue raised from inheritance tax in the each of the last five years where information is available is published at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/inheritance/table12-1.pdf

Inheritance Tax

John Stevenson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many taxable estates there were in 2011-12;
	(2)  how many estates were worth over £1 million in 2011-12.

David Gauke: The number of estates paying IHT on death in 2011-12 is published in Table 1.4 available from the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/taxpayers/table1-4.pdf
	The numbers of estates worth over £1 million left on death in 2009-10 are in the published National Statistics Table 12.3 available from the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/inheritance/table12-3.pdf
	Data for 2011-12 will be published in the publication schedule which is available from the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/updates.htm

Inheritance Tax

Pamela Nash: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how much revenue his Department collected in inheritance tax by (a) postcode, (b) region and (c) parliamentary constituency in each year since 2007-08;
	(2)  how much income was foregone by his Department in inheritance tax relief for holdings in (a) unincorporated partnerships, (b) owner-occupier farmland, (c) shares in qualifying unquoted companies and (d) bequests of landlord interests in let farmland for (i) Wales, (ii) Scotland, (iii) England, (iv) Northern Ireland and (v) the UK in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

David Gauke: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to her question of 18 April 2013, Official Report, column 250. There are no figures available on the amount of IHT revenue collected at postcode or parliamentary constituency level. However, information on the number of taxpayers at parliamentary constituency level is published in HM Revenue and Customs' official statistics. The most recent figures, for 2009-10, are available at the following address:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/inheritance/table12-12.pdf
	The information requested on income foregone in inheritance tax relief is not available. However, the estimated cost of relief for agricultural property in general is published at the following address:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/expenditures/table1-5.pdf
	The amount of inheritance tax exemptions set against assets for the last five financial years, for estates above the inheritance tax threshold, is published at the following address:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/inheritance/table12-2.pdf

M4

Jessica Morden: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on funding an M4 relief road.

Danny Alexander: Roads policy is devolved to the Welsh Government but the UK Government recognise the strategic importance of the M4 and so are discussing options for funding improvements with the Welsh Government.

M4

Jessica Morden: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on the funding of an M4 relief road.

Danny Alexander: I regularly meet the Welsh Finance Minister to discuss matters that are relevant to Wales. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings and discussions.

Minimum Wage: Apprentices

Pamela Nash: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many breaches of the apprentice rate of the national minimum wage were recorded in (a) Scotland, (b) England and (c) Wales in each year since May 2010;
	(2)  how many breaches of the national minimum wage were recorded for each rate in (a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) the UK in each year since May 2010;
	(3)  how many breaches of the apprentice rate of the national minimum wage were recorded in each year since records began up to the most recent records available in (a) Scotland, (b) England and (c) Wales;
	(4)  how many breaches of the national minimum wage for each rate were recorded in each year since records began up to the most recent records available in (a) Scotland, (b) England and (c) Wales.

David Gauke: HMRC does not record the outcome of its minimum wage investigations by reference to the national minimum wage rates The total number of instances of non-compliance with NMW from 2009 is in the following table:
	
		
			 Financial year England Wales Scotland UK 
			 2009-10 885 130 145 1,256 
			 2010-11(1) 890 75 95 1,071 
			 2011-12 763 81 72 968 
			 2012-13 540 67 83 736 
			 (1)( )1 May 2010 to 31 March 2011

Mobile Phones

Jenny Chapman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which company holds the largest contract to provide mobile telephony services to HM Revenue and Customs; how much was paid under the contract in the last year for which figures are available; how many individual services are covered by the contract; when the contract was awarded; when the contract will next be renewed; and for how long.

David Gauke: The contract for mobile telephony services is provided through the ASPIRE Framework with Capgemini as the prime contractor. Capgemini subcontracts this work to Vodafone, as follows:
	
		
			  Annual spend April 2012 to March 2013 (£) 
			 Vodafone — 
			 Blackberry 513,168 
			 3G/GPRS 257,878 
			 Mobile phones 495,076 
			 Total 1,266,122 
		
	
	The contract with Vodafone started on 18 December 2010 and is due to expire on 17 December 2014. HMRC will decide the appropriate contract length according to its requirements and market dynamics.

Non-domestic Rates: Appeals

Robin Walker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress his Department has made in reducing the number of outstanding business rates appeals with the Valuation Office Agency.

David Gauke: Around 293,000 appeals made against the 2010 rating list were resolved by the end of December 2012. While appeals continue to be received, the number of outstanding 2010 rating appeals fell by 21% between 2011-12 Quarter 3 and 2012-13 Quarter 3. The VOA has prioritised the clearance of appeals by improving efficiency, diverting resources from other work areas, and recruiting additional frontline staff.

Private Finance Initiative

Pamela Nash: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which private finance initiative projects have been refinanced in each year since May 2010; what the value is of each such project; what the refinancing gain has been in each such case; and how much any such gain the relevant Government body received through a (a) lump sum and (b) reduction in the unitary charge.

Danny Alexander: PFI projects are managed by departments, local authorities and NHS trusts as well as devolved Administrations. Those procuring authorities do not need to inform the Treasury if projects are refinanced. Therefore the Treasury does not carry this information.
	The Treasury is not aware of any projects being refinanced since May 2010. This is likely to reflect the increased cost of private finance since the financial crisis and therefore the limited opportunity to refinance on more favourable terms.
	You may be interested to know that in April 2012 the Treasury revised the standard refinancing gain sharing provisions for new projects so that in the event of a debt refinancing, 90% of the gain is retained by the public sector—so should the opportunity of refinancings arise in future the public sector will be the main beneficiary.

Revenue and Customs

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many days of work were carried out by officials in HM Revenue and Customs on average in each of the last five years; and what the total salary cost was of officials in each year.

David Gauke: Calculating the actual number of days worked each year by officials would incur a disproportionate cost.
	The last five years of audited information, reporting the total of wages and salary costs and the average number of whole-time equivalent staff in post for HMRC is as follows:
	
		
			  2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 
			 Wages and salaries (£ million) 2,107.6 2,071.9 1,843.3 1,775.5 1,764.3 
			       
			 Average staff numbers 85,769 82,003 73,695 67,748 67,004

Revenue and Customs

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many officials were recruited by HM Revenue and Customs in each of the last five years.

David Gauke: The information is as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
			 2008-09 6,033 
			 2009-10 292 
			 2010-11 1,120 
			 2011-12 4,649 
			 2012-13 2,484

Revenue and Customs

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many officials in HM Revenue and Customs had (a) fewer than five days, (b) six to 10 days, (c) 11 to 15 days, (d) 16 to 20 days, (e) 21 to 25 days, (f) 26 to 50 days, (g) 51 to 75 days, (h) 76 to 100 days, (i) 101 to 150 days, (j) 151 to 200 days, (k) more than 201 days, (l) more than three months, (m) more than six months and (n) more than one year of paid sick leave (i) consecutively and (ii) in total in each of the last five years.

David Gauke: The information is as follows:
	
		
			 Total sickness absence days taken in each year 
			  Number of officials 
			  2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 1-5 29,499 27,999 28,392 29,045 
			 6-10 10,272 8,757 6,298 6,712 
			 11-15 4,090 3,418 2,721 2,699 
			 16-20 2,310 2,008 1,694 1,646 
			 21-25 1,596 1,430 1,188 1,146 
			 26-50 4,308 3,643 3,036 3,016 
			 51-75 1,912 1,650 1,336 1,325 
			 76-100 1,118 896 605 610 
			 101-150 926 791 538 494 
			 151-200 355 248 161 159 
			 >201 412 302 136 81 
			 Total 56,798 51,142 46,105 46,933 
		
	
	
		
			 Total period of sickness absence 
			  Number of officials 
			  2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 Over 3 months 2,029 1,595 998 908 
			 Over 6 months 529 367 186 128 
			 Absent for the whole year 312 234 91 51 
		
	
	The information relating to consecutive absences is not held in the format requested. Each time an official has more than one absence reason in a consecutive period they are counted separately and there is no way of providing reliable data on consecutive absences without incurring disproportionate cost.

Revenue and Customs

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many officials in HM Revenue and Customs qualified for privilege days in the last year for which figures are available; and what the cost to the public purse was of the use of such privilege days in that year.

David Gauke: The number of staff qualifying for privilege days at 31 March 2012 was 74,983.
	All staff have a contractual entitlement to 2.5 privilege days per year.
	The total cost of these privilege days in any given year could be provided only at disproportionate cost. This is because the cost calculation is dependent upon individual terms and conditions as well as whether rotas/shifts include privilege day working.

Revenue and Customs

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many officials in HM Revenue and Customs left that body due to (a) resignation, (b) retirement, (c) redundancy, (d) transferral to another public sector post and (e) another reason in each of the last five years.

David Gauke: The information is as follows:
	
		
			 Leaving reason 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 (a) Resignation 3,021 1,665 1,126 1,631 1,658 
			 (b) Retirement 2,140 2,910 1,700 1,347 1,399 
			 (c) Redundancy 862 238 1,040 239 498 
		
	
	
		
			 (d) OGD 375 5,502 268 240 458 
			 (e) Other 1,385 1,251 975 645 711 
			 Total 7,783 11,566 5,109 4,102 4,724

Revenue and Customs

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what allowances and subsidies in addition to salary were available to officials in HM Revenue and Customs in each of the last five years; and what the monetary value was of such payments and allowances in each such year.

David Gauke: An answer can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Revenue and Customs

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was paid to officials in HM Revenue and Customs in bonuses and other payments in addition to salary in each of the last five years; how many officials received such payments; and what the monetary value was of the 20 largest payments made in each year.

David Gauke: HMRC operates two non-consolidated award arrangements:
	Performance awards tied to the annual performance for delegated grades (AA—Grade 6) and senior civil servants; and
	A recognition bonus scheme for delegated grades which recognises exceptional in year performance. This scheme is not open to members of the SCS.
	
		
			  Value of awards Number of awards 
			 2007-08 19,040,273 55,957 
			 2008-09 12,620,246 19,984 
			 2009-10 13,562,488 20,984 
			 2010-11 10,232,181 17,607 
			 2011-12 9,046,315 14,458 
		
	
	
		
			 Value of top 20 non-consolidated awards 
			  2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 
			 1 34,594 15,000 16,722 14,000 10,500 
			 2 19,500 13,600 14,500 10,000 10,500 
			 3 18,000 12,500 12,500 10,000 10,000 
			 4 17,500 12,500 12,500 10,000 9,375 
			 5 17,400 12,500 12,500 10,000 9,375 
			 6 17,200 12,500 12,500 10,000 9,375 
			 7 17,000 12,500 12,500 10,000 9,375 
			 8 15,900 12,500 12,500 10,000 9,375 
			 9 15,700 12,500 12,000 10,000 9,375 
			 10 15,525 12,500 10,000 10,000 9,375 
			 11 15,500 12,500 10,000 10,000 9,375 
			 12 15,000 12,500 10,000 9,000 9,375 
			 13 15,000 12,500 10,000 9,000 9,375 
			 14 14,800 12,500 10,000 8,000 7,500 
			 15 14,600 12,500 10,000 8,000 7,500 
			 16 14,200 11,000 10,000 8,000 7,500 
			 17 14,175 11,000 10,000 8,000 7,500 
			 18 14,100 11,000 10,000 8,000 7,500 
			 19 13,600 11,000 10,000 8,000 7,500 
			 20 13,600 11,000 10,000 8,000 7,500 
		
	
	The information regarding payments in addition to salary is covered by the response to PQ 151144.

Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average length was of call waiting times for those telephoning HM Revenue and Customs from Barnsley Central constituency in 2012-13.

David Gauke: The information requested is not available. HM Revenue and Customs does not record call waiting times at a constituency level.
	HMRC periodically publishes its performance statistics at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/bus-plan-qds.htm

Scotland

Margaret Curran: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met the Cabinet Secretary for Finance in the Scottish Government; and what issues were discussed at that meeting.

Danny Alexander: Treasury Ministers and officials have regular discussions with the Scottish Government on a wide variety of topics.

Sovereign Grant

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sum is to be provided to the Royal Household's Sovereign Grant in 2013; and if he will make a statement.

Sajid Javid: The information requested is contained on page 3 of the Royal Trustees Sovereign Grant Report of 2013-14. A copy of which was laid before the House and is available at:
	http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/trustee_report_on_sovereign_grant.pdf
	The Sovereign Grant for 2013-14 is £36.1 million.

Stamp Duty Land Tax

John Stevenson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his intention to require sellers' national insurance details to be provided on the Stamp Duty Land Tax form.

David Gauke: The Government have no plans to require sellers' national insurance details to be provided on the Stamp Duty Land Tax form.

Tax Allowances

Stephen Timms: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of targeted tax relief for employers on employer interventions to help people to stay in or return to work; and if he will make a statement.

David Gauke: The introduction of a new targeted tax relief, as announced at Budget 2013, follows the DWP commissioned report “Health at work—an independent review of sickness absence” by Dame Carol Black and David Frost CBE which was published in November 2011. That report estimated that over 140 million days are lost to sickness absence every year.
	The review also cited survey data showing 39% of employers said tax incentives would encourage them to invest more in health initiatives.
	The Government will shortly be consulting on the introduction of this relief, including its impacts.

Tax Avoidance

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  whether his Department is taking steps to reduce the number of UK companies operating in developing countries and engaging in tax avoidance;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of how many UK companies operating in developing countries engaged in tax avoidance in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13.

David Gauke: The UK Government are taking the lead on international action, through the G20 and OECD, to tackle the issue of base erosion and profit shifting by multinational corporations, and are also speeding up their work to identify and challenge multinationals' transfer pricing arrangements.
	The Disclosure of Tax Avoidance Schemes (DOTAS) regime requires avoidance schemes with certain hallmarks to be notified to HMRC along with the users of such a scheme. If a multinational was using such a scheme, then it would be notified to HMRC, but only to the extent that it affects UK tax liabilities.
	Instead, the UK provides technical assistance to allow developing countries to benefit from tax information exchange and also assists these countries to develop effective tax systems of their own, so that they can build and protect their own tax base and access and act on tax information.

Tax Avoidance: Multinational Companies

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to ensure that large multi national companies do not avoid paying tax in the UK.

David Gauke: The UK Government have led the calls through the G20 for collective action to strengthen international tax standards. The UK, together with France and Germany, has contributed additional resources to the OECD to support rapid progress on its work to tackle profit shifting and the erosion of the corporate tax base at the global level.
	At the G20 meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Moscow in February the Chancellor welcomed the initial report by the OECD, which confirmed this is an international issue that requires international action. The OECD will be presenting a comprehensive action plan for tackling these issues to the G20 in July this year.

Taxation

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the proportion of income a household on average earnings will spend in taxes in (a) 2013-14, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2010-11.

David Gauke: In 2010-11, the Office for National Statistics estimated that on average, households contribute 34% of their gross household income in tax, of which 20% comes from direct taxation, and 13% through indirect taxation. This is the latest year for which data are available.
	It is not possible to estimate the total tax contribution of a single household on average earnings, because the amount that a household contributes in indirect tax will vary according to household consumption. However, it is possible to estimate the amount of income tax and national insurance contributions, as a proportion of gross earnings, for individuals on median earnings (not income). Figures for 2013-14 are based on projections for average earnings from the Office for Budget Responsibility.
	
		
			  2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 (projected) 
			 Median earnings (£) 25,900 26,100 26,500 26,700 
			 Income tax and national insurance as a proportion of gross income (percentage) 24 23 22 21 
		
	
	Gross income is defined as market income, plus income from direct benefits in cash. Tax, as a proportion of household income, is taken from the Office for National Statistics's publication “The Effects of Tax and Benefits on Household Income (2010/11)”. Median earnings are taken from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (2010-11 to 2012-13), and rounded to the nearest £100.

WOMEN AND EQUALITIES

Multiple Births: Leave

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities if she will introduce a right to unpaid leave for partners of those expecting a multiple birth in order to attend medical appointments; and if she will make a statement.

Jo Swinson: As part of the Children and Families Bill we intend to introduce the right to unpaid time off to attend two ante-natal appointments for the partners of all pregnant women.

EDUCATION

Level 6 SATs

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the number of primary schools which have taken up level 6 SATs papers at Key Stage 2; and what proportion of pupils will take these tests this academic year.

Elizabeth Truss: Level 6 tests are made available to schools to stretch the most able pupils. In 2012, nearly 8,300 primary schools entered at least one pupil for the level 6 tests. More than 73,300 pupils were registered for a level 6 test in 2012.
	For 2013, more than 11,700 schools have registered at least one pupil for the level 6 tests.
	More 113,600 pupils have been registered for a level 6 test, which represents 21% of the cohort.

Primary School Places

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent assessment he has made of the availability of primary school places; and if he will make a statement.

David Laws: The Department collects pupil place data from all local authorities through the Annual Schools Capacity Collection. Using these data, we anticipate that 382,000 new primary places and 35,000 new secondary places will be needed over this Parliament. The latest data show that new places are being created at a good rate. Local authorities are keeping up with demand. We will have made a £5 billion investment in new places over this Parliament—doubling the previous Government's spending.

School Food Policy

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what progress he has made on reviewing his Department's school food policy.

Elizabeth Truss: In July 2012, the Secretary of State commissioned Henry Dimbleby and John Vincent, the co-founders of Leon restaurants, to undertake an independent review of school food.
	The reviewers are examining school food in England and will produce recommendations about how it can be improved.
	We expect the reviewers to produce their report, including their recommendations for Government, in early summer.

University Technical Colleges

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what support he is giving to the formation of university technical colleges; and if he will make a statement.

Matthew Hancock: Government support for UTCs grows. Before Easter we announced the approval of 13 new projects into the pre-opening stage. There are now five open and 40 preparing to open. We expect 12 to open this September.
	This huge expansion of technical education demonstrates our commitment to ensuring young people gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life.

Child Care and Early Intervention

Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has for child care and early intervention provision; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Timpson: There is a consensus across this House that early intervention is both effective and necessary, and the Government is determined to build on this are with the Early Intervention Foundation, formally launched on 15 April, playing a powerful role in gathering information about what works. We already know that high-quality early education and child care can be a powerful early intervention, which is why we are extending early learning for two-year-olds from low income families.

Academies

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his policy is on falling rolls in academies; and if he will make a statement.

David Laws: One of the Government's priorities is to ensure that parents have access to high-quality education in a school of their choice. Academies are popular with parents, and many are oversubscribed. For example, ARK and Harris academies receive, on average, four applications for each place available.
	We are clear that, in times of economic austerity, money should be spent on pupils who are actually in schools and not spent on funding empty places whether in academies or LA schools.
	Academies are independent, autonomous organisations and it is the academy trust has responsibility for managing the fluctuations in pupil numbers and the resulting impact fewer pupils has on the funding available.

Education: Finance

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the aims of the F40 group with regards to his reform of the education funding formula.

David Laws: The Department has taken care to listen to the aims of the F40 group and I met representatives from the group on 19 November 2012 to discuss their concerns. The Department recognises that the current school funding system is unfair and out of date. Our aim is to move towards a fairer and more transparent funding system and the Secretary of State for Education, the right hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove) announced in March 2012 that we plan to introduce a new national funding formula in the next spending review period. It is important that we reform the funding system at a pace which is manageable for schools.

Education: Finance

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what consideration he has given to the specific circumstances of rural areas in his recently announced changes to education funding.

David Laws: The current school funding system is unfair and out of date. It has resulted in similar schools across the country receiving significantly different levels of funding.
	We want a system which targets funding to pupils on a fair and transparent basis, regardless of where they go to school. This means that the majority of funding will be based on the needs of pupils and not the size or circumstances of schools. We are however committed to supporting successful rural schools and we know that they often play an important role in local communities.
	In recognition that small schools, particularly those in rural areas, cannot meet some of their fixed costs through per pupil funding alone, local authorities are able to apply a lump sum of up to £200,000 for all schools in their local formula. This should provide enough flexibility to allow local authorities and schools forums to support successful small schools in meeting the necessary fixed costs.
	The Department is carrying out a careful review of these arrangements. We are working with schools and local authorities; including those in rural areas, to explore their effect and to consider whether further changes need to be made in April 2014, in order to avoid unacceptable consequences for schools and to move us closer towards a national funding formula.

Free School Meals

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to ensure that children living in poverty in (a) the UK and (b) Leicester South constituency are receiving free school meals.

David Laws: The Government are committed to increasing the take-up of free school meals for all pupils who are entitled to them. We want disadvantaged pupils to benefit from a nutritious meal, and for their schools to receive extra funding through the pupil premium in order to help them to raise the attainment of these pupils. The pupil premium rises to £900 per eligible pupil in 2013-14, providing a strong incentive for schools to encourage their pupils to apply for free school meals.
	We know that, nationally, 14% of entitled pupils choose not to claim their free school meal; in Leicester that figure is 15%. These figures are based on research conducted by the Department for Education, available on our website(1).
	The Children's Food Trust has produced a ‘Free School Meals Matter Toolkit’, which provides schools with information and advice to help them to ensure that all pupils entitled to free school meals register for, and take, the meal:
	The Department's on-line Eligibility Checking Service enables parents to apply for school meals without having to give the school information about their income from benefits or earnings. We are encouraging local authorities to increase their use of this resource to enable more parents to apply on-line.
	A number of schools and local authorities have put in place cashless payment systems, which helps to ensure that those children who are receiving free school meals cannot be identified.
	Overall, the number of children claiming free school meals rose to 18.2% in 2012 compared with 17.4% in 2010.
	The Department is considering options for new eligibility criteria for free school meals once universal credit is introduced. We will aim to ensure that those families on the lowest incomes are entitled to free school meals.
	(1)( )https://www.education.gov.uk/ publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/DFE-RR235

Free School Meals

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he plans to take to ensure that the delivery of free school meals through universal credit on the basis of an income test will not constitute a disincentive to work.

David Laws: Universal credit will improve work incentives by allowing individuals to keep more of their income as they move into work and by introducing a smoother and more transparent reduction of benefits when they increase their earnings.
	We are currently considering proposals for new entitlement criteria for free school meals under universal credit. We are working very closely with other Departments, including the Cabinet Office and the Department for Work and Pensions, to simplify free school meals criteria under universal credit, while ensuring that free lunches continue to be available to the families who need them most.
	We have yet to finalise the new eligibility criteria, but we want to make sure that they are simple and that free school meals are available to those families on the lowest incomes, irrespective of the hours worked. Our priority is to make sure that the most disadvantaged children are able to get a nutritious meal at school, and that entitlement to benefits such as free school meals should not be a disincentive to work.

GCSE

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many and what proportion of pupils who did not have a statement of special educational needs in each centile of deprivation achieved (a) five A* to C grades including both English and mathematics at GCSE and (b) five A* to C grades including both English and mathematics at GCSE excluding equivalents in each year for which figures are available.

David Laws: holding answer 26 March 2013
	The requested information for the academic years 2007/08 to 2011/12 is given in Table 1 and Table 2. Information for earlier years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 Table 1: Number and percentage of pupils without a statement of SEN(1, 2) at the end of Key Stage 4 achieving 5 or more GCSEs at grade A* to C or equivalent including English and mathematics GCSEs or iGCSEs by IDACI decile(3, 4 )of pupil residence—Years 2007/08 to 2011/12 (revised)(5, 6). Coverage: England(7), state-funded schools (including academies and CTCs) 
			  2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 
			 IDACI decile(3,4) No. of eligible pupils(1) No. achieving 5+ A*-C grades inc. English and mathematics GCSEs % achieving 5+ A*-C grades inc. English and mathematics GCSEs No. of eligible pupils(1) No. achieving 5+ A*-C grades inc. English and mathematics GCSEs % achieving 5+ A*-C grades inc. English and mathematics GCSEs No. of eligible pupils(1) No. achieving 5+ A*-C grades inc. English and mathematics GCSEs % achieving 5+ A*-C grades inc. English and mathematics GCSEs 
			 England          
			 0-10% most deprived 64,574 20,343 31.5 63,822 22,333 35.0 62,781 25,881 41.2 
			 10-20% 61,551 21,033 34.2 59,817 22,601 37.8 59,031 25,366 43.0 
			 20-30% 58,290 22,591 38.8 56,935 24,035 42.2 56,246 26,601 47.3 
		
	
	
		
			 30-40% 56,333 24,544 43.6 54,415 25,386 46.7 54,035 27,560 51.0 
			 40-50% 55,904 27,222 48.7 53,610 27,780 51.8 53,885 30,065 55.8 
			 50-60% 54,826 29,536 53.9 53,430 29,921 56.0 53,381 32,076 60.1 
			 60-70% 54,810 31,781 58.0 52,463 31,633 60.3 52,945 33,873 64.0 
			 70-80% 54,725 33,986 62.1 53,036 33,864 63.9 53,913 36,542 67.8 
			 80-90% 55,045 36,109 65.6 53,214 35,879 67.4 53,345 37,935 71.1 
			 90-100% least deprived 53,701 38,538 71.8 51,332 37,800 73.6 52,790 40,355 76.4 
		
	
	
		
			  2010/11 2011/12 
			 IDACI decile(3, 4) No. of eligible pupils(1) No. achieving 5+ A*-C grades inc. English and mathematics GCSEs % achieving 5+ A*-C grades inc. English and mathematics GCSEs No. of eligible pupils(1) No. achieving 5+ A*-C grades inc. English and mathematics GCSEs % achieving 5+ A*-C grades inc. English and mathematics GCSEs 
			 England       
			 0-10% most deprived 62,749 28,576 45.5 62,910 30,025 47.7 
			 10-20% 58,110 27,351 47.1 57,945 28,765 49.6 
			 20-30% 55,763 28,627 51.3 55,418 29,292 52.9 
			 30-40% 53,690 29,287 54.5 53,524 29,656 55.4 
			 40-50% 52,830 31,065 58.8 52,560 31,215 59.4 
			 50-60% 52,013 32,646 62.8 50,999 32,295 63.3 
			 60-70% 52,480 35,155 67.0 51,626 34,467 66.8 
			 70-80% 52,382 36,846 70.3 51,688 36,267 70.2 
			 80-90% 52,216 38,513 73.8 51,424 37,693 73.3 
			 90-100% least deprived 49,218 38,708 78.6 48,709 37,913 77.8 
			 (1) Pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 in each academic year. (2) Includes pupils with no identified SEN, SEN pupils without a statement (classified as School Action or School Action plus) and unclassified pupils. (3) Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index. Each Super Output Area (SOA) in England is given a score which ranks it between 1 and 32,482, 1 being the most deprived. (4) IDACI bands for 2010/11 and 2011/12 are based on 2010 IDACI scores. Care should be taken when comparing to IDACI band breakdowns for 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10, which are based on 2007 IDACI scores. Care should also be taken when comparing to IDACI tables for 2006/07 and earlier, which are based on 2004 IDACI scores. (5) Figures for 2007/08 to 2010/11 are based on final data, 2011/12 figures are based on revised data. (6) From 2009/10 iGCSEs, accredited at time of publication, have been counted as GCSE equivalents and also as English and mathematics GCSEs. (7) Only includes pupils who are resident in England. The residency of 3,050 children in 2007/08, 1,901 in 2008/09, 1,755 in 2009/10, 2,061 in 2010/11 and 1,329 in 2011/12 is unknown due to missing or invalid postcode information. These children are excluded from the figures in the table. Source: National Pupil Database (2007/08 to 2010/11) and Key Stage 4 attainment data (2011/12) 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2: Number and percentage of pupils without a statement of SEN(1 ,2 )at the end of Key Stage 4 achieving 5 or more GCSEs at grade A* to C excluding equivalents including English and mathematics GCSEs or iGCSEs by IDACI decile(3, 4 )of pupil residence. Years: 2007/08 to 2011/12 (revised)(5, 6). Coverage: England(7), state-funded schools (including Academies and CTCs) 
			  2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 
			 IDACI decile(3, 4) No. of eligible pupils(1) No. achieving 5+ A*-C grades inc. English and mathematics GCSEs excluding equivalents % achieving 5+ A*-C grades inc. English and mathematics GCSEs excluding equivalents No. of eligible pupils(1) No. achieving 5+ A*-C grades inc. English and mathematics GCSEs excluding equivalents % achieving 5+ A*-C grades inc. English and mathematics GCSEs excluding equivalents No.of eligible pupils(1) No. achieving 5+ A*-C grades inc. English and mathematics GCSEs excluding equivalents % achieving 5+ A*-C grades inc. English and mathematics GCSEs excluding equivalents 
			 England          
			 0-10% most deprived 64,574 18,354 28.4 63,822 19,543 30.6 62,781 21,171 33.7 
			 10-20% 61,551 19,321 31.4 59,817 20,156 33.7 59,031 21,227 36.0 
			 20-30% 58,290 21,068 36.1 56,935 21,968 38.6 56,246 23,116 41.1 
			 30-40% 56,333 23,277 41.3 54,415 23,603 43.4 54,035 24,608 45.5 
			 40-50% 55,904 26,055 46.6 53,610 26,199 48.9 53,885 27,407 50.9 
			 50-60% 54,826 28,475 51.9 53,430 28,487 53.3 53,381 29,771 55.8 
			 60-70% 54,810 30,805 56.2 52,463 30,336 57.8 52,945 31,754 60.0 
			 70-80% 54,725 33,098 60.5 53,036 32,713 61.7 53,913 34,672 64.3 
		
	
	
		
			 80-90% 55,045 35,261 64.1 53,214 34,821 65.4 53,345 36,146 67.8 
			 90-100% least deprived 53,701 37,834 70.5 51,332 36,997 72.1 52,790 38,879 73.6 
		
	
	
		
			  2010/11 2011/12 
			 IDACI decile(3, 4) No.of eligible pupils(1) No.achieving 5+ A*-C grades inc. English and mathematics GCSEs excluding equivalents % achieving 5+ A*-C grades inc. English and mathematics GCSEs excluding equivalents No.of eligible pupils(1) No.achieving 5+ A*-C grades inc. English and mathematics GCSEs excluding equivalents % achieving 5+ A*-C grades inc. English and mathematics GCSEs excluding equivalents 
			 England       
			 0-10% most deprived 62,749 22,842 36.4 62,910 23,409 37.2 
			 10-20% 58,110 22,614 38.9 57,945 22,985 39.7 
			 20-30% 55,763 24,395 43.7 55,418 24,365 44.0 
			 30-40% 53,690 25,737 47.9 53,524 25,352 47.4 
			 40-50% 52,830 27,803 52.6 52,560 27,380 52.1 
			 50-60% 52,013 29,885 57.5 50,999 29,050 57.0 
			 60-70% 52,480 32,632 62.2 51,626 31,508 61.0 
			 70-80% 52,382 34,604 66.1 51,688 33,753 65.3 
			 80-90% 52,216 36,608 70.1 51,424 35,415 68.9 
			 90-100% least deprived 49,218 37,190 75.6 48,709 36,187 74.3 
			 (1) Pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 in each academic year. (2) Includes pupils with no identified SEN, SEN pupils without a statement (classified as School Action or School Action plus) and unclassified pupils. (3) Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index. Each Super Output Area (SOA) in England is given a score which ranks it between 1 and 32,482, 1 being the most deprived. (4) IDACI bands for 2010/11 and 2011/12 are based on 2010 IDACI scores. Care should be taken when comparing to IDACI band breakdowns for 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10, which are based on 2007 IDACI scores. Care should also be taken when comparing to IDACI tables for 2006/07 and earlier, which are based on 2004 IDACI scores. (5) Figures for 2007/08 to 2010/11 are based on final data, 2011/12 figures are based on revised data. (6) From 2009/10 iGCSEs, accredited at time of publication, have been counted as GCSE equivalents and also as English & mathematics GCSEs. (7) Only includes pupils who are resident in England. The residency of 3,050 children in 2007/08, 1,901 in 2008/09, 1,755 in 2009/10, 2,061 in 2010/11 and 1,329 in 2011/12 is unknown due to missing or invalid postcode information. These children are excluded from the figures in the table. Source: National Pupil Database (2007/08 to 2010/11) and Key Stage 4 attainment data (2011/12)

Government Procurement Card

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether (a) he and (b) members of his private office hold a Government procurement card.

David Laws: The information is as follows:
	(a) The Secretary of State for Education does not hold a departmental GPC card.
	(b) Three members of staff in the Minister's private office hold a Government Procurement Card.

Literacy

David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will mandate all schools to publish the literacy levels of their pupils on entry and exit from the school.

David Laws: The Department's School Performance Tables(1) already provide information on the distribution of levels attained by pupils at the end of Year 6 in reading and in writing; and on the proportion of pupils making at least expected progress in English between Key Stage 1 and the end of Key Stage 2. A value added measure also shows the progress pupils have made in English compared with those nationally of similar prior attainment.
	We publish similar measures of attainment and progress in English for secondary schools.
	Additionally, from 1 September 2012, the School Information (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 required schools to publish specified information on the attainment and progress of their pupils and to provide a link to where this information could be found in the performance tables.
	(1) www.education.gov.uk/schools/performance

Priority School Building Programme

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will place in the Library a copy of the criteria used by his Department during the assessment stage of the priority schools building programme to assign schools to either the capital or PFI stream.

David Laws: Following the announcement of the Priority School Building Programme (PSBP), the DFE invited responses from schools wishing to apply for funding. Those applications were assessed objectively as described in the letter which invited applications for the programme. Applications had to be supported by a building condition survey, and qualified surveyors visited every school to validate the accuracy of the data submitted. The prioritisation process compared the cost of addressing the current condition of the school with the rebuilding cost.
	The condition needs of some of the schools within the PSBP is so severe that the Secretary of State decided urgent action was necessary. We have therefore made a limited amount of capital grant available to address the needs of the highest priority schools in the programme. Forty-two schools—those in the very worst condition and all special schools included within the programme—were prioritised to be delivered through capital grant. It is right that the condition needs of special schools—where some of our most vulnerable children are educated—are met as quickly as possible.

Schools: Brigg

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment his Department has made of the level of literacy and numeracy of (a) primary school leavers and (b) secondary school leavers in Brigg and Goole constituency in each of the last five years.

Elizabeth Truss: holding answer 15 April 2013
	The information requested is provided in the following tables:
	
		
			 Primary school leavers 
			 Achievements at the expected level(1) by pupils at the end of key stage 2 in Brigg and Goole parliamentary constituency(2).Years: 2008-12(3. )Coverage: Brigg and Goole constituency(4) 
			 Percentage of KS2 pupils achieving expected level in: 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012(5) 
			 English 82 80 79 81 83 
			 Maths 78 78 77 81 83 
			 (1) Includes pupils who achieved level 4 or above. Level 4 is the expected level of achievement for pupils at the end of key stage 2. (2) Parliamentary constituency figures are based on the postcode of the school. (3) Data are final data for academic years 2008 to 2011; 2012 is based on revised data. (4) Includes state-funded schools including academies. Figures do not include pupils recently arrived from overseas. (5) In 2012, English was calculated from reading test results and writing teacher assessment rather than from reading and writing tests as in previous years. English in 2012 is, therefore, not comparable to previous years. Source: National Pupil Database 
		
	
	
		
			 Secondary school leavers 
			 Percentages of pupils at the end of key stage 4 achieving A*-C grades in English and mathematics GCSEs(1) in Brigg and Goole constituency(2).Years: 2007-08 to 2011-12(3)Coverage: Brigg and Goole constituency(4) 
			 Percentage of KS4 pupils achieving an A*-C grade in: 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 
			 English 51.9 61.4 66.0 70.2 68.3 
			 Maths 53.9 60.7 64.2 63.0 74.9 
			 (1) Full GCSEs only have been included (Full GCSEs, double awards, accredited international certificates and their predecessor iGCSEs and AS levels). Figures from 2007-08 to 2008-09 exclude iGCSEs; 2009-10 figures onwards include accredited iGCSEs. (2) Parliamentary constituency figures are based on the postcode of the school. (3) Data are final data for academic years 2007-08 to 2010-11; 2011-12 is based on revised data. (4) Includes state-funded schools including academies. Figures do not include pupils recently arrived from overseas. Source: National Pupil Database (2007/-08 to 2010-11) and key stage 4 attainment data (2011-12)

Schools: Vocational Guidance

David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will require all schools to publish what prospective pupils can expect in terms of careers advice, guidance and contact with businesses and work experience options.

Matthew Hancock: Since September 2012, schools have been legally required to secure independent careers guidance for year 9-11 pupils on the full range of post-16 education and training options.
	The Department for Education has published statutory guidance which sets out expectations about the type and quality of careers guidance that should be made available to pupils under the new duty. The statutory guidance is clear that schools should consider a wide range of career activities to offer all young people insights into the world of work. This can include engagement with local employers and work experience, but schools should determine the most appropriate provision in accordance with the needs of their pupils.

Sixth-form Education

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many and what proportion of (a) free schools and (b) academies recruited fewer sixth-form students than they were funded for by the Education Funding Agency in each of the last two years.

Matthew Hancock: holding answer 26 March 2013
	The number and percentage of free schools and academies which recruited fewer sixth-form students than they were funded for is as follows:
	
		
			  2011/12 2012/13 
			  Number Percentage Number Percentage 
			 Free schools 1 50 6 75 
			 Academies 395 60 570 53 
			 Maintained schools* — 62 — 56 
			 * Indicative figures for maintained schools are higher than those for academies. 
		
	
	16-to-19 funding is generally based on a lagged approach, where funding for each year is based on recruitment in the previous year. As a result, many institutions will recruit a different number of students from the number on which their funding allocation was based (either above or below this figure), and their funding will reflect this change in the following year. For free schools and those academies which are not funded on a lagged basis, the Education Funding Agency recovers funding for under-delivery.

Student Wastage

Nicholas Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many people left (a) school, (b) sixth- form college and (c) further education college at the end of the first year of a two-year course in each of the last five years.

Matthew Hancock: Information is not available in the form requested and to carry out the analysis required would incur disproportionate cost.

Vocational Guidance

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to increase the careers advice available to pupils choosing (a) GCSEs, (b) AS levels and (c) university courses.

Matthew Hancock: Schools have a legal responsibility to secure independent careers guidance for year 9 to 11 pupils on the full range of post-16 education and training options. From September, we are extending the duty to years 8 to 13 and introducing an equivalent requirement through college funding agreements for 16 to 18-year-olds in further education.
	This will help more young people to access the support they need at key transition points, promoting informed decision making about GCSEs, AS levels, university courses and other education and training options including apprenticeships. The Department will publish guidance to support schools and colleges to take on their new responsibilities.
	We recognise that choices about higher education are particularly complex and want to improve the information available to students. The Key Information Set (KIS) was launched in September 2012 to provide comparable information on each university course. This can be found at unistats website on direct.gov.(1)
	(1) http://unistats.direct.gov.uk/

Vocational Guidance

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to improve the quality of careers advice supplied in the education sector.

Matthew Hancock: Helping pupils to progress from school successfully to the next stage of their education, and onwards into work, is a core function of schools. By introducing the careers duty, we have created a new legal basis for schools to secure independent and impartial careers guidance to meet the needs of their pupils.
	The duty is underpinned by statutory guidance which sets expectations about the type and quality of support that schools should offer. We have also published a practical guide containing examples of policy and practice which schools can draw on. Schools can access high- quality support from careers providers who have achieved a national quality standard for careers guidance. This quality standard will assist schools in making well-informed decisions about which provider to use.
	An Ofsted thematic review of careers guidance, reporting this summer, will assess the impact of the new duty.

Vocational Guidance

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the education sector regarding careers advice for people in secondary education.

Matthew Hancock: Ministers have had frequent and widespread discussions on careers advice. The Government also received 327 responses to a public consultation on extending access to careers guidance. The views of respondents, including schools and education sector representatives, have informed our decision to extend the duty on schools to years 8-13 from September 2013.
	The House of Commons Education Committee scrutinised the impact of the new careers duty through its recent inquiry into young people's careers guidance. The Committee received written and oral evidence from a range of witnesses from the education sector. The Government will shortly respond formally to the Committee's report. Ofsted's forthcoming thematic review of careers guidance will inform future improvements in the quality of careers provision.

Vocational Guidance

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received on the difference in effectiveness between face-to-face careers guidance and online or call centre-based advice.

Matthew Hancock: Young people take on board information and advice in many ways and will require access to different sources of support at different stages. Schools should determine the most appropriate forms of careers guidance based on the needs and circumstances of their pupils.
	To give effect to this policy, we have placed a duty on schools to secure access to independent and impartial careers guidance for their pupils. The legal provisions were scrutinised in the House of Commons and the House of Lords during the passage of the Education Bill. A wide range of stakeholders submitted evidence to inform debates, including on the appropriateness of different types of careers provision. Statutory guidance underpinning the duty places a clear expectation on schools to secure access to independent face-to-face careers guidance where it is the most suitable support for young people to make successful transitions.
	We have published Education Destination Measures showing the percentage of students progressing to further education or training in a school, Further Education or sixth-form college, apprenticeship or Higher Education institution. This will show how effective schools are in supporting a successful transition into an appropriate and sustainable course, including through the provision of independent careers guidance.

Vocational Guidance

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to improve the (a) availability and (b) quality of careers advice offered to 16 to 18-year-olds.

Matthew Hancock: From September 2013 all schools will be under a legal duty to secure access to independent and impartial careers guidance for their sixth-form students. We are also placing an equivalent requirement on colleges through their funding agreements to ensure that 16 to18-year-olds in further education and sixth- form colleges can access the support they need.
	We will shortly publish guidance to support schools and colleges to take on their new responsibilities. They will be expected to work in partnership, as appropriate, with external and expert careers providers. To support this, an online register of careers providers accredited to a national careers quality standard is available for schools to access.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Child Maintenance

Richard Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what steps his Department takes to collect older child maintenance debt; and what resources his Department allocates to this task;
	(2)  with reference to his Department's recently published Child Maintenance Arrears and Compliance Strategy, what steps he is taking to inform all affected parents with care who are legally owed child maintenance, that the collection of child maintenance arrears in respect of yesterday's children is being given a low priority.

Steve Webb: We have a wide range of collection and enforcement actions available to recover arrears of child maintenance and more than 2,000 people working within collection and enforcement teams, whose role is to collect as much in child maintenance arrears as possible.
	While we have to make the most effective use of our resources and prioritise cases where children will benefit now, there are several proposed collection initiatives, both planned and under way, to tackle arrears in older cases.
	We are committed to collecting as much of this debt as we can and are continuing to develop and consider options as to how this can best be achieved within the context of our overall priorities, which put the welfare of children first.

Child Maintenance

Richard Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will take steps to ensure that, following Child Support Agency (CSA) case closure, arrears of CSA maintenance which are currently being collected via a deduction from earnings order, a deduction order or following a liability order, a charging order or order for sale, will continue to be collected, without interruption or new charges being placed on the parent with care who is owed the maintenance.

Steve Webb: There will be some cases subject to case closure, where compliance has only been secured due to enforcement action we have taken, such as a deduction from earnings order or a deduction order. We are conscious that in these cases we must do everything possible to minimise any disruption caused as a result of case closure and not jeopardise hard won compliance.
	On this basis, we are currently considering options as to how these cases can be managed in a way that has as little impact on clients as possible and once the approach has been finalised, this will be made public.
	I can confirm that we will continue to seek to collect arrears, where the parent with care wants us to do so, where arrears have arisen on the legacy schemes, after the closure of these schemes, whether or not a new case is opened through the 2012 scheme. No collection charges will be levied for this service.

Child Maintenance

Richard Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to his Department's recently published Child Maintenance Arrears and Compliance Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that all parents with care who are owed child maintenance arrears are informed of decisions which have been taken regarding collection and enforcement of arrears, including of decisions made not to pursue debt recovery and the reasons why these cases are not being pursued.

Steve Webb: We generally update parents with care about significant events on their child maintenance case; and this will continue in respect of those parents, who are owed child maintenance arrears which arose when they had a case on the legacy schemes. This is particularly important in relation to what they can expect to be paid, and when, and we will make all reasonable efforts to keep parents updated in these circumstances.
	In the limited circumstances where debt is impossible to collect, for example, where the parent who owes the money has died and the arrears cannot be collected from their estate; or where there are reasons why a parent wants to write off the debt, for example, if they have reconciled with their former partner, full consultation will take place with the client(s) prior to any such action being taken.

Child Maintenance

Richard Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he plans that (a) the pathfinder new statutory child maintenance scheme will be extended to parents with care with two or more children who share the same non-resident parent, (b) the new statutory maintenance scheme will be extended to cover all new applicants for statutory child maintenance and (c) phase 2 of implementation of the statutory scheme, including charging parents for use of the statutory scheme and the phased closure of existing Child Support Agency cases, will begin.

Steve Webb: We introduced the new 2012 statutory maintenance scheme using a pathfinder approach to clients with four or more children in December 2012. We are currently monitoring progress and plan to open the 2012 scheme to applications for two or more children, and subsequently all new applications, later in 2013.
	Once the 2012 system has been opened to all applicants, and is seen to be working well, we will introduce charging and begin closing 1993 and 2003 scheme cases.

Child Maintenance

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his Department carries out checks on the educational attendance records of qualifying children to ensure they meet the criteria for child maintenance payments to be made; and whether punitive action is taken in respect of maintenance payments where a qualifying child is found not to be attending education.

Steve Webb: A “child” for child maintenance purposes is defined in legislation as one who is:
	Under 16
	Under 20 and receiving full time, non-advanced education
	Between the ages of 16 and 20 and for whom child benefit is in payment.
	Therefore if a person falls within at least one of these groups, they remain a child for the purposes of the payment of child maintenance.
	If a child is under 16, regardless of whether they are in education or not, child maintenance will still be payable, as long as they remain habitually resident in the UK.
	If a child is under 20 and receiving full-time, non-advanced education, child maintenance is still payable. If a parent disputes whether their child is in education, the other parent will be asked to provide evidence to show they are. As part of a dispute, the Child Support Agency will also check whether child benefit is in payment and if it is, as outlined above, the qualifying child remains a child for child maintenance purposes and therefore the liability to pay will remain in place unless there are other grounds that mean the child is no longer eligible for maintenance.
	Any concerns a parent may have as to whether child benefit is correctly in payment for a child should be raised with HM Revenue and Customs in the first instance. Following any HMRC decision to end payment, where the agency is notified of the terminal date of child benefit, the agency will remove the child in question from the child maintenance calculation, provided that they do not continue to fit the definition of a “qualifying child” for child maintenance purposes on other grounds.
	If child benefit is ended retrospectively this may result in an overpayment of child maintenance having been paid by the non-resident parent. In such cases if the child removed from the case is not the last qualifying child, future maintenance payments made by the non-resident parent will be reduced until the overpayment has been satisfied. However, if it is the last child that has been removed, a sum equal to the overpaid maintenance will generally be repaid to the non-resident parent and consideration will be given to recovering any maintenance paid out from the other parent. If a parent with care seeks to defraud the non-resident parent in their case through knowingly providing false information, we can consider prosecuting them for any crime they may have committed in doing so.

Child Maintenance

Richard Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether child maintenance arrears which accumulate under a direct pay arrangement will be liable for collection via the statutory collection service if the case is transferred into the collection service as a result of non-payment.

Steve Webb: If the non-resident parent fails to pay in full and on time under a Direct Pay arrangement, we will seek to collect any outstanding arrears through the statutory collection service, if the parent with care asks us to do so.

Electronic Government

Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of his Department's staff have received training to help with the administration of the website Universal Jobmatch; and what the cost has been of any such training to date.

Mark Hoban: The total number of staff that received training on Universal Jobmatch is approximately 35,000. The online learning products were accessed via the Department's intranet and made available for staff at all times. The learning was managed locally within normal business hours at no additional cost.

Electronic Government

Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many tenders his Department received for the Universal Jobmatch website contract; and what the criteria were for judging bids.

Mark Hoban: DWP originally received four tenders for the Universal Jobmatch service, however at the final evaluation stage one was withdrawn. A document explaining the criteria for judging bids will be placed in the Library.

Electronic Government

Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much in consultancy fees his Department paid out in respect of the Universal Jobmatch website (a) before and (b) after it became active.

Mark Hoban: The Department did not pay any consultancy fees in respect of the Universal Jobmatch website either before or after it became active.

Electronic Government

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many jobseekers have opted (a) in and (b) out of authorising his Department to view their (i) user account, (ii) job search activity, (iii) feedback and (iv) notes since the launch of the Universal Jobmatch website; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Hoban: Over 2.4 million jobseekers have registered on Universal Jobmatch; of these over 1.5 million have given permission for DWP to view their account. The total number of active jobseeker accounts is nearly 1.2 million; of these nearly 815,000 have given permission for DWP to view their account.

Electronic Government

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he sought the advice of (a) the Information Commissioner and (b) his Department's data protection officer on the compatibility of the option on the Universal Jobmatch website to authorise his Department to view (i) a user's account, (ii) job search activity, (iii) feedback and (iv) notes with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Hoban: Consultation has taken place with the Information Commissioner and DWP data protection officers during the overall development of Universal Jobmatch. Universal Jobmatch is compliant with the Data Protection Act.
	DWP staff can only view the claimant's Universal Jobmatch activity if they actively give DWP permission to view their Universal Jobmatch account by ticking a box within their profile.

Employment and Support Allowance

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the longest period is that a claimant has waited for a decision on a mandatory reconsideration of appeal against refusal of an employment and support allowance claim;
	(2)  how many employment and support allowance mandatory reconsideration appeals had not been reprocessed within (a) one month, (b) two months and (c) three months in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(3)  what the average time taken in mandatory reconsideration of appeals against refusal employment and support allowance claims was in the last six months.

Esther McVey: Mandatory reconsideration does not currently apply to employment and support allowance claims. The Department's current plans are to apply mandatory reconsideration to employment and support allowance (ESA) decisions made on or after 28 October 2013.
	Mandatory reconsideration at present only applies to personal independence payment (PIP) decisions (from 8 April 2013) and will apply to universal credit decisions (from 29 April 2013).

Employment Schemes: Scotland

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Scotland were involved in the Mandatory Work Activity benefit scheme in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what the average number of working days worked was.

Mark Hoban: Mandatory Work Activity (MWA) began in May 2011. Official statistics are available for the period May 2011 up to and including August 2012. The table shows the number of starts and referrals in Scotland by financial year.
	
		
			 Table 1: Mandatory work activity starts and referrals in Scotland by financial year for the period May 2011 up to and including August 2012 
			 Financial year Referrals Starts 
			 2011-12 4,850 1,770 
			 2012-13 2,710 1,180 
			 Total 7,560 2,940 
			 Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Source: Mandatory Work Programmes Official Statistics. 
		
	
	These figures are based upon official Mandatory Work Programmes Statistics which can be found here:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/pwp/mwa_aug12.pdf
	Data on the average number of 'working days worked' are unavailable.

Employment Schemes: Scotland

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Scotland were involved in work experience under the sector-based Work Academies benefit scheme in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what the average number of working days worked was.

Mark Hoban: Sector-based work academies (SBWA) were introduced in England from August 2011 and in Scotland from January 2012 as part of the Get Britain Working measures. In Scotland, some testing took place prior to the official launch date for which the figures are included.
	The latest available figures for the number of work experience placement starts under SBWA in Scotland, between August 2011 and November 2012, are presented in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of SBWA work experience placement starts in Scotland 
			 2011 10 
			 2012 2,170 
			 Total 2,180 
			 Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 Source: DWP LMS opportunities and Client evaluation databases December 2012. 
		
	
	Data on the number of working days worked are unavailable due to unreliable data recording.

Fraud

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department has lost to fraud in each of the last five years.

Mark Hoban: The estimated amount of money lost through benefit fraud in Great Britain can be found on the DWP National Statistics Fraud and Error in the Benefit System webpage:
	http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd2/index.php?page=fraud_error
	For the last five years the estimated level of benefit fraud was as follows:
	
		
			  Amount (£ billion) Percentage of benefit expenditure 
			 2011-12 1.2 0.7 
			 2010-11 1.2 0.8 
			 2009-10 1.1 0.8 
			 2008-09 1.0 0.8 
			 2007-08 0.8 0.6 
		
	
	Northern Ireland fraud and error estimates, which are comparable to the above Great Britain statistics, can be found at:
	http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/publications/annual_reports/publications-ssa-annual-reports.htm

Fraud

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department spent on counter-fraud activities in each of the last five years.

Mark Hoban: Spend on counter-fraud activities for the last five years is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Cost (£) 
			 2008-09 95,622,194 
			 2009-10 98,568,789 
			 2010-11 94,273,555 
			 2011-12 98,114,560 
			 2012-13 91,103,606 
			 Data source: Jobcentreplus/DWP Operations Activity Based Management models. 
		
	
	The above figures do not include any spend on non-fraud activities carried out in the fraud organisation.
	Spend for the year 2012-13 is for the year to February.

Fraud

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many full-time equivalent staff in his Department worked on counter-fraud activities in each of the last five years.

Mark Hoban: Staffing figures for those staff undertaking counter fraud activities is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  FTE 
			 2008-09 2,795.2 
			 2009-10 2,750.7 
			 2010-11 2,726.1 
			 2011-12 2,813.9 
			 2012-13 2,787.1 
			 Data source: Jobcentreplus/DWP Operations Activity Based Management models. 
		
	
	The above figures are full-time equivalent and do not include any non-fraud activities carried out by staff in the fraud organisation.
	The figures are taken as at the end of the operational year with the exception of 2012-13, which is as at the end of February 2013.

Funeral Payments

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the total cost was of awards made towards funeral costs in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13;
	(2)  how many claims resulted in the award of a payment towards funeral costs in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13;
	(3)  how many claims were made for help towards funeral costs in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13.

Steve Webb: The following table provides the number of applications, awards, and total expenditure of the funeral payment scheme for years 2009-10; 2010-11; 2011-12; and 2012-13.
	
		
			 Funeral payment scheme applications, awards, and gross expenditure for years 2009-10 to 2012-13 
			  2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 Funeral payment applications 68,000 69,000 69,000 66,000 
			 Funeral payment awards 39,000 38,000 38,000 35,000 
			      
		
	
	
		
			 Annual gross expenditure (£ million) 47.1 46.5 46.7 43.1 
			 Notes: 1. The information provided is Management Information. Our preference is to answer all parliamentary questions using Official/National Statistics but in this case we only have Management Information available. It is not quality assured to the same extent as Official/National statistics and there are some issues with the data; for example, it does not include applications which were processed clerically and have not yet been entered on to the Social Fund Computer System. 2. The applications and awards figures are rounded to the nearest 1,000. The expenditure is rounded to the nearest £100,000. 3. These figures relate to the number of awards and applications, not people. Individuals can apply for and receive more than one of these payments in any given year.

Housing Benefits: Social Rented Housing

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of cancer patients who will be affected by the under-occupancy penalty.

Steve Webb: This information is not available.
	For cancer patients who receive overnight care from a non-resident carer or team of carers, an additional bedroom will be allowed when determining the number of bedrooms they need.

Independent Living Fund: Wales

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many individuals in each local authority area in Wales have received Independent Living Fund payments in each of the last five years.

Esther McVey: The information requested is in the following table.
	
		
			 Analysis of ILF service users in Wales in payment by local authority and year—Date of report 18 April 2013 
			  Year 
			 Country/Local authority 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 Wales 2,088 2,118 2,048 1,936 1,837 
			       
			 Anglesey County Social Services 43 46 47 46 45 
			 Blaenau Gwent County Borough SSD 39 40 39 37 34 
			 Bridgend County Borough Social Services 90 95 91 86 83 
			 Caerphilly County Borough SSD 58 82 80 78 75 
			 Cardiff County Council SSD 158 154 140 126 115 
			 Carmarthenshire County Social Services 218 217 213 206 199 
			 Ceredigion County Social Services 42 45 42 40 39 
			 Conwy County Borough Council 88 93 93 86 85 
			 Denbighshire County Social Services 63 65 64 62 57 
			 Flintshire County Social Services 127 123 121 114 105 
			 Gwynedd Social Services 141 135 133 130 123 
		
	
	
		
			 Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council SSD 51 53 51 49 47 
			 Monmouthshire County Social Services 34 32 30 27 27 
			 Neath and Port Talbot County Borough SSD 88 89 84 77 74 
			 Newport City Social Services 88 81 84 79 70 
			 Pembrokeshire County Social Services 104 105 97 90 85 
			 Powys County Social Services 83 89 87 84 78 
			 Rhondda/Cynon/Taff County Borough SSD 169 175 172 168 162 
			 Swansea County Social Services 107 111 106 97 92 
			 Torfaen County Borough Social Services 97 91 85 80 76 
			 Vale of Glamorgan Borough Council SSD 59 59 58 52 50 
			 Wrexham County Borough Social Services 141 138 131 122 116

Jobcentre Plus

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance his Department has issued to Jobcentre Plus staff on the quality, scope and comprehensiveness of advice to be given to claimants in respect of entitlement to benefits and access to additional services; and if he will place a copy of any such guidance in the Library.

Mark Hoban: A key departmental objective is to ensure that each time a member of the public engages with DWP they are provided with the most relevant and accurate information, advice and guidance. It is for managers to ensure Jobcentre Plus staff provide claimants with the best possible service, including accurate information, advice and guidance tailored to individual need. Underpinning this is the Department's Accuracy of Information framework and a range of operational products to equip staff to provide claimants with relevant and accurate information, advice and guidance, e.g. procedural guidance, learning and development and quality assurance frameworks. I will arrange for a copy of the Accuracy of Information Framework to be placed in the Library.

Jobcentre Plus

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when his Department last undertook mystery shopping to assess the quality, scope and comprehensiveness of advice given by Jobcentre Plus staff to claimants; and if he will place in the Library a copy of any report on the findings of the most recent inspection exercise.

Mark Hoban: The Department for Work and Pensions last undertook a mystery shopping exercise in 2010. Findings from the 2010 exercise were never intended to be published externally as they had the potential to identify individuals through our network of jobcentres, benefit centres and contact centres. The DWP terminated its mystery shopping contract in December 2010.
	The DWP claimant service and experience survey uses satisfaction and other experience measures as a metric for service performance, which allows the Department to understand which areas of the service most impact upon customer and claimant satisfaction and experience, and to direct improvement activity accordingly.
	A link to the 2012 published research report is provided:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/report_abstracts/rr_abstracts/rra_831.asp

Jobcentre Plus

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to ensure that Job centre Plus staff offer comprehensive advice to claimants on their entitlement to benefits and access to additional services and the benefits and services available to claimants entering work.

Mark Hoban: It is the policy intent that Jobcentre Plus staff offer comprehensive advice to claimants on their entitlement to benefits and access to additional services and the benefits and services available to claimants entering work.

Jobcentre Plus

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which Jobcentre Plus centres (a) he and (b) ministerial colleagues have visited in the last 12 months.

Mark Hoban: The answer to the question is contained in the following table:
	
		
			 Minister Jobcentre Plus Centre 
			 Secretary of State Wellingborough Benefit Centre 
			  Wellingborough JCP 
			  Bootle Benefit Centre 
			  Upton JCP 
			  Leicester JCP 
			  Tottenham JCP 
			  Basildon JCP 
			  Basildon Benefit Centre 
			  Yate JCP 
			  Hull Benefit Centre 
			  Easterhouse JCP 
			  Dartford JCP 
			  Ashton under Lyne JCP 
			  Oldham JCP 
			  Stratford Benefit Centre 
			  London Bridge JCP 
			  Musselborough JCP 
			  Wallsend JCP 
			  Waltham Forest JCP 
			   
			 Ministerial colleagues Hounslow JCP 
			  Dartford JCP 
			  Haverhill JCP 
			  Chatham JCP 
			  Darlington JCP 
			  Nottingham JCP 
			  Wolverhampton JCP 
			  Hammersmith JCP 
		
	
	
		
			  City Tower JCP 
			  Grimsby JCP 
			  Morriston JCP 
			  Leicester JCP 
			  Wood Green JCP 
			  London Bridge JCP 
			  Loughton JCP 
			  Gloucester Benefit Centre 
			  Runcorn JCP 
			  Bootle Benefits Centre 
			  Peel Park Model Office 
			  Stretford JCP 
			  Eastgate JCP 
			  Derby Contact Centre 
			  Folkestone JCP 
			  Wigan JCP 
			  Warrington JCP

Jobcentre Plus: Digital Exclusion

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance his Department has issued to jobcentre branches on prevention of digital exclusion.

Mark Hoban: Jobcentre Plus staff who deal directly with our customers have received guidance, training and communications on how to support customers in using DWP's digital services.
	This ranges from training for personal advisers on how to help customers looking for work online, to support packages for all staff so they will be confident in demonstrating to customers how to use the service.
	Staff have also been trained in how to identify the level of support the customer may require to access our services online, including identifying where an online transaction may not be appropriate. For vulnerable customers we continue to provide a telephony or face-to- face service.

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in how many parliamentary constituencies more people claimed jobseeker's allowance at the end of 2012 than at the end of 2010.

Mark Hoban: Statistics on jobseeker's allowance by parliamentary constituency and date can be found at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=tabtool
	Guidance for users is available at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/tabtools/guidance.pdf

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he intends to reply to the letter of 8 March 2013 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr Thomas Turner.

Mark Hoban: The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr Duncan Smith), replied to the right hon. Member on 17 April 2013.

New Enterprise Allowance

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many jobseeker's allowance claimants have received the new enterprise allowance since its introduction in (a) the UK and (b) Swindon.

Mark Hoban: The new enterprise allowance is available only in Great Britain. The following table shows the number of starts on the new enterprise allowance made by jobseeker's allowance claimants, since its introduction in April 2011, in Great Britain and Swindon.
	
		
			 New enterprise allowance mentor starts and allowance starts from April 2011 up to and including November 2012 
			  GB Swindon 
			 NEA mentor starts 31,540 110 
			 NEA allowance starts 15,210 30 
			 Source: Get Britain Working Official Statistics; figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 
		
	
	These figures are based upon official Get Britain Working statistics which can be found here:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/pwp/pwp_gbw_feb13.pdf

Occupational Health

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will ensure that the new health and work assessment and advisory service meets the needs of people with (a) cancer and (b) other long-term conditions; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Hoban: The new health and work assessment and advisory service will provide independent occupational health advice to employees, employers and GPs. Specialist advice and support will be tailored to an individual's needs and condition. We recognise that the service will not be appropriate for all patients, such as those with acute medical conditions, those undergoing treatment and those with long-term conditions. Clear guidance will be developed by occupational health experts and GPs to assist GPs in making appropriate referrals to the service.

Overseas Aid

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which projects administered by the Department for Work and Pensions were Official Development Assistance attributable in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; and which projects are programmed for 2013.

Mark Hoban: My Department does not fund projects that are attributable as Official Development Assistance (ODA). Since 2012 it has been responsible for administering the United Kingdom's contribution to the International Labour Organization (ILO) and 60% of this is attributable as ODA.

Personal Independence Payments

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 21 March 2013, Official Report, column 752W, on personal independence payment, if his Department will take steps to limit the price of the initial inquiry for applicants who do not have a landline telephone.

Esther McVey: Applications for a personal independence payment are made through an 0800 number. The Department has negotiated with the major mobile providers for these calls to be free.

Personal Independence Payments

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  pursuant to the contribution by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions of 13 November 2012, Official Report, column 75WH, on personal independence payment, whether he has had further discussions with disability experts on the need for personal independence payments assessors to have specialist training in the disabilities they are assessing;
	(2)  what steps he is taking to ensure that personal independence payment applicants are matched with assessors with specific expertise in their disability.

Esther McVey: The personal independence payment assessment will not be a medical assessment—diagnosing a condition or its severity and recommending treatment options. Instead it will look at the impact of conditions and impairments on individuals' everyday lives. This requires a very different skill set from those involved in the treatment of individuals, with less need for specialist knowledge. It is therefore not our intention to make assessors experts in every condition, but that they will have a broad training in disability analysis as well as training on specific impairments, including mental, intellectual and cognitive impairments.
	Both personal independence payment assessment providers have to conform to a rigorous set of quality standards regarding staff recruitment and training, which are closely monitoring.

Scotland

Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he last met the Scottish Government Minister for Housing and Welfare; and what issues were discussed at that meeting.

Mark Hoban: The Secretary of State last met the Scottish Minister for Housing and Welfare on 17 December 2012. The meeting was to discuss the Child Poverty Consultation, the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission and passported benefits.

Social Security Benefits

Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland are in receipt of (i) higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance, (ii) the enhanced rate of the mobility component of personal independence payment, (iii) the war pensioners' mobility supplement and (d) the armed forces independence payment;
	(2)  how many people in (a) Birmingham, (b) Glasgow, (c) Cardiff and (d) Londonderry are in receipt of (i) the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance, (ii) the enhanced rate of the mobility component of personal independence payment, (iii) the war pensioners' mobility supplement and (iv) the armed forces independence payment.

Esther McVey: Statistics on disability living allowance split by type of mobility component can be found at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=tabtool
	Guidance for users is available at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/tabtools/guidance.pdf
	The responsibility for statistics in Northern Ireland lies with the Department for Social Development (DSD) and can be found at:
	http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index.htm
	The responsibility for statistics on war pensioners' mobility supplement lies with the Ministry of Defence and can be found at:
	http://www.dasa.mod.uk/
	Personal independence payment and the armed forces independence payment were both introduced from April 2013. Although limited data will soon start to feed through we need to wait until the Department has quality-assured and meaningful figures for publication.
	The Department is working to guidelines set by the UK Statistics Authority to ensure we are able to publish statistics that meet high-quality standards at the earliest opportunity. We intend to publish official statistics on personal independence payment and the armed forces independence payment from early 2014.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how national roll-out of the benefit cap will be carried out after 15 July 2013.

Mark Hoban: The cap will be implemented nationally from 15 July, with all local authorities receiving a number of cases each day between 15 July and the end of September, when all appropriate households will be capped.
	Consultation will continue with local authorities as lessons are learned from phased roll-out to determine the most appropriate way to handle the schedule of activity over that period.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff in his Department will be involved in administering the overall benefit cap (a) during the pilot scheme and (b) once the national roll-out has been completed.

Mark Hoban: During phased roll-out there will be 30 members of staff administering the benefit cap. Resourcing for the period following national roll-out will be determined from the experiences and analysis of jive running of business and IT processes.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the time will be between his Department obtaining data on a household's income for the purposes of determining whether the overall benefit cap should apply and the application of the cap.

Mark Hoban: Prior to the benefit cap being applied, DWP will be undertaking a 100% check on claimant/households' information against live system records. Once that check is complete, the information will be shared with housing benefit teams overnight so that they can accurately implement the cap via a deduction from housing benefit.

Social Security Benefits: Bedfordshire

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) employment and support allowance and (b) incapacity benefit claimants there are in the South West Bedfordshire constituency.

Mark Hoban: Statistics on the number of people in the South West Bedfordshire constituency who received (a) employment and support allowance and (b) incapacity benefit can be found at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=tabtool
	Guidance for users is available at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/tabtools/guidance.pdf

Social Security Benefits: Fraud

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what data his Department (a) collects and (b) publishes about fraud.

Mark Hoban: Estimates of benefit fraud and error overpayments and underpayments, from 2005-06 to 2011-12, are published on the Department's website at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd2/index.php?page=fraud_error
	These are national statistics and are available at Great Britain level only. These estimates typically show overpayments and underpayments both as the monetary value of fraud and error and as a percentage of the benefit expenditure paid out in the year. Additional tables are also published showing the percentage of claims overpaid and underpaid for certain benefits, but again at Great Britain level only:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd2/fem/fem_1112.xls
	Housing Benefits Recoveries and Fraud contains statistics relating to housing benefit fraud volumes and amounts of incorrectly overpaid benefit. They are aggregate level data received on a quarterly basis from each local authority. Data have already been released for each quarter of 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12. This release includes provisional local authority level statistics for Q1 and Q2 of 2012-13 and can be found here:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/hb_ctb/recoveries_and_fraud_data/index.php?page=recoveries_and_fraud_data

Social Security Benefits: Fraud

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in what ways his Department assesses the return on its investment in counter-fraud activities; and what amount in wrongly-claimed benefit has been recovered in each of the last five years.

Mark Hoban: The Department assesses its return on investment from counter-fraud activities based on 1) the amount of benefit we prevent from continuing to be paid out incorrectly and 2) the amount of benefit paid out incorrectly that is subsequently recovered. The methodology used is agreed with the Office for National Statistics and the Office for Budget responsibility.
	Overpayments of benefit can occur for a variety of reasons. Not all overpayments are detected through counter-fraud activities. Those overpayments that are detected through counter-fraud activities are not necessarily classified as fraudulent.
	For overpayment recovery purposes a debt can only be classified as fraudulent if a customer has been convicted of an offence, admitted the offence in an interview under caution, or agreed to an administrative penalty. Otherwise the debt is classified as customer error.
	The amount of wrongly claimed benefit, recovered in the last five years, broken down by fraud and customer error, is as follows:
	
		
			 £ million 
			 Financial year Fraud Customer error 
			 2008-09 25.4 167.7 
			 2009-10 28.3 178.5 
			 2010-11 34.2 201.2 
			 2011-12 42.5 240.0 
			 2012-13 49.3 253.8 
			 Total 179.7 1,041.2 
		
	
	The increase in benefit recovered is mainly due to the increase in benefit paid.

Social Security Benefits: Greater London

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much (a) staff time in his Department and (b) financial resource is being committed to the benefit cap pilots in Haringey, Enfield, Croydon and Bromley between April and September 2015.

Mark Hoban: During phased roll-out there will be 30 dedicated operational staff administering the benefit cap. In addition, there are 16 operational staff within co-located hubs across the four local authorities. Further activity on changes of circumstances is subsumed within business as usual in Stratford Benefit Centre. Resourcing for the period following national roll-out will be determined from the experiences and analysis of live running of business and IT processes.
	The additional financial resource being committed to phased roll-out in Haringey, Enfield, Croydon and Bromley during the phased roll-out period is over £2 million.

Social Security Benefits: Internet

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what services his Department offers to benefit claimants without access to the internet at home or in public libraries.

Mark Hoban: Jobcentre Plus staff can advise customers on where they can find sources of local public internet access. We have worked with local partnership organisations to provide up-to-date information on the services they provide. Customers will be signposted by Jobcentre Plus staff to the nearest and most suitable provision.
	In addition, the vast majority of jobcentres now have internet access devices which customers can use to access any of DWP's online services or any other services they need to support them in their benefit claim or search for work. Staff are on hand to assist customers in using these devices if necessary.

Social Security Benefits: Scotland

Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in (a) Scotland and (b) Glasgow East constituency have been (i) overpaid and (ii) underpaid (A) jobseeker's allowance, (B) child benefit, (C) disability living allowance, (D) carer's allowance, (E) employment and support allowance, (F) child tax credit and (G) working tax credit in each year since May 2010.

Mark Hoban: The information is not available for (A) jobseeker's allowance, (B) child benefit, (C) disability living allowance, (D) carer's allowance and (E) employment and support allowance.
	The following table gives the number of over and underpaid tax credit awards for Scotland and for Glasgow East.
	
		
			 Finalised awards underpaid and overpaid at 5 April 2011 
			 Thousand 
			  Underpaid Overpaid 
			 Scotland 120 125 
			 Glasgow East 2.5 3.0 
			 Notes: 1. Data for 2011 -12 will be published in May 2013. 2. A family's tax credits award is provisional until finalised at the end of the year, when it is checked against their final income for the year. The information provided in the answer shows the number of awards, analysed by whether payments for and issued in each year were lower or higher than the finalised entitlement. Where payments are higher than the finalised entitlement they are described as overpaid at 5 April of that year. This is known only after awards are finalised. Overpaid tax credits are recovered either through direct recovery, in the case of terminated or ceased awards, or reduction of an ongoing award. 3. The figures provided in the answer relate to the number of overpaid awards and not the number of people. When a couple splits up or a single adult becomes part of a couple the previous award ceases and either or both adults can choose to apply for new awards. If an adult had more than one overpaid award during the year they would therefore be represented more than once in these data. Source: HMRC publication Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics. Finalised annual awards 2010-11. Supplement on payments in 2010-11.

Staff

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many days of work were carried out by officials in (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on average in each of the last five years; and what the total salary cost was of officials in each year.

Mark Hoban: The information is as follows:
	(a) The core Department does not collect statistics on how many days of work were carried out by officials. The total salary costs for officials are published in the Department's annual report and accounts (staff costs note). The 2011-12 and 2010-11 reports are in the public domain at the following links:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-work-and-pensions-annual-report-and-accounts-2011-to-2012
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-work-and-pensions-annual-report-and-accounts-2010-to-2011
	The Department's annual report and accounts for the years 2009-10, 2008-09 and 2007-08 will be placed in the Library.
	(b) The Department does not have any agencies. They were dissolved with effect from 3 October 2011 when their functions were returned to the core Department. With the exception of Health and Safety Executive, the Department's non-departmental public bodies do not collect statistics on how many days of work were carried out by officials. Total salary costs for officials are published in their annual report and accounts. Links are provided for your convenience:
	
		
			  Web addresses 
			 Health and Safety Executive http://www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/reports/ 
			   
			 Independent Living Fund http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20090105201051/http://ilf.org.uk/cms_media/files/final_accounts_06fund_17jul08_website.pdf http://www.dwp.gov.uk/ilf/publications/corporate-publications/annual-reports/ 
			   
			 National Employment Savings Trust http://www.nestpensions.org.uk/schemeweb/NestWeb/public/aboutUs/contents/library.html http://www.nestpensions.org.uk/schemeweb/NestPublicWeb/faces/public/search/pages/simpleSearch.xhtml?search_text=NEST+Annual+Report+and+Accounts+2010-11 http://www.nestpensions.org.uk/schemeweb/NestWeb/includes/public/docs/NEST-annual-report-accounts-2011-2012.PDP.pdf 
		
	
	
		
			 Pensions Ombudsman/Pension Protection Fund Ombudsman http://www.pensions-ombudsman.org.uk/Publications/index.aspx 
			   
			 Remploy http://www.remploy.co.uk/about-us/corporategovernance/annualreports.ashx 
			   
			 The Pensions Advisory Service http://www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/publications/company-documents-and-reports#report 
			   
			 The Pensions Regulator http://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/about-us/annual-reports-accounts-and-plans.aspx 
		
	
	
		
			 Days of work carried out by officials in the Health and Safety Executive 
			  Number 
			 2007-08 730,268.83 
			 2008-09 756,411.93 
			 2009-10 765,972.64 
			 2010-11 759,199.36 
			 2011-12 704,296.53

Third Sector

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the policy of his Department is on payment to charitable and not-for-profit organisations for performing public services at his Department's request.

Mark Hoban: The DWP policy is in accordance with Her Majesty's Treasury's Managing Public Money. The payment mechanisms available to DWP are grant in aid where funding is provided for a longer term requirement for the services provided, grants which are available in respect of specific purchase or action, and where DWP enters into a commercial contract delivering existing core objectives. As for any payments made by DWP it must be consistent with the Department's statutory authority and the Ambit of the Vote.
	Grant in aid to the Department's non-departmental public bodies is treated as expenditure in the core Department's Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Net Expenditure and as financing in the accounts of the non-departmental public bodies, credited to their reserves. It is accounted for on a cash basis.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the robustness of the universal credit system against fraud; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Hoban: The Department is working continually with experts across Government to ensure that the arrangements for the prevention of fraud in the universal credit system operate effectively in the interests of taxpayers.
	It is not in the public interest to disclose the details of those arrangements.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of universal credit claimants who will require budgeting support.

Mark Hoban: No formal estimate has been made of the number of universal credit claimants who will require budgeting support. We are working closely with the advice sector and local authorities to monitor demand for these services during the universal credit pathfinder in order to predict estimated volumes for the national roll-out of universal credit.

Universal Credit: Kingston Upon Hull

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many single parent families in (a) Hull North and (b) Hull will be in receipt of universal credit by the time it is fully implemented; and how many such families will have (i) higher and (ii) lower entitlement under universal credit than the present system;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of single parents under the age of 25 expected to be in receipt of universal credit in (a) Hull and (b) Hull North constituency by the time universal credit is fully implemented.

Mark Hoban: The information requested is not available as sample sizes are too small to yield reliable results for these geographical areas.
	The impacts of universal credit are presented in the universal credit impact assessment available on the DWP website at:
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/universal-credit-wr2011-ia.pdf

Visits Abroad

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department's budget was for overseas travel for officials and Ministers in 2012-13.

Mark Hoban: There is no set budget for overseas travel at DWP.

Work Experience Programme: Scotland

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Scotland were involved in the work experience programme benefit scheme in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what the average number of working days worked was.

Mark Hoban: The work experience scheme began in January 2011. Official statistics are available for the period January 2011 up to and including November 2012. The following table shows the number of starts in Scotland by financial year.
	
		
			 Work experience starts in Scotland by financial year for the period January 2011 up to and including November 2012. 
			 Financial year Number of starts 
			 2010-11 120 
			 2011-12 4,090 
			 2012-13 4,870 
			 Total 9,080 
			 Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Source: Get Britain Working Official Statistics 
		
	
	These figures are based upon official Get Britain Working statistics which can be found here:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/pwp/pwp_gbw_feb13.pdf
	Data on the average number of 'working days worked' are unavailable.

Work Programme

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many benefit sanction referrals have been made by Work programme providers in (a) South Yorkshire and (b) the UK in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(2)  how many benefit sanction referrals have been made in South Yorkshire by each Work programme provider.

Mark Hoban: This specific information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
	Statistics on how many jobseeker's allowance (JSA) fixed length sanction referrals, where a decision has been made, from Work programme providers in (a) South Yorkshire and (b) Great Britain from the 1 June 2011 to the 21 October 2012 can be found at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=tabtool
	Guidance for users is available at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/tabtools/guidance.pdf

Work Programme

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was paid to Work programme providers as a result of residents in Banff and Buchan constituency being placed in employment which generated a job outcome from the inception of the programme to the latest date for which figures are available.

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was paid to Work programme providers as a result of residents in Perth and North Perthshire constituency being placed in employment which generated a job outcome from the inception of the programme to the latest date for which figures are available.

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was paid to Work programme providers as a result of residents in Na h-Eileanan an Iar constituency being placed in employment which generated a job outcome from the inception of the programme to the latest date for which figures are available.

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was paid to Work programme providers as a result of residents in Dundee East constituency being placed in employment which generated a job outcome from the inception of the programme to the latest date for which figures are available.

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was paid to Work programme providers as a result of residents in Angus constituency being placed in employment which generated a job outcome from the inception of the programme to the latest date for which figures are available.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was paid to Work programme providers as a result of residents in Moray constituency being placed in employment which generated a job outcome from the inception of the programme to the latest date for which figures are available.

Mark Hoban: The total paid to Work programme providers in the UK is £377.9 million from the start of the programme through to 30 July 2012, i.e. the period covered by the statistical release. Due to commercial in confidence considerations we are not able to release financial data below the national level at this time.

Work Programme

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of residents in Dundee East constituency who have been referred to the Work programme have been placed in employment which generated a job outcome since the inception of the programme.

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of residents in Na h-Eileanan an Iar constituency who have been referred to the Work programme have been placed in employment which generated a job outcome since the inception of the programme.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of residents in Moray constituency who have been referred to the Work programme have been placed in employment which generated a job outcome since the inception of the programme.

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of residents in Angus constituency who have been referred to the Work programme have been placed in employment which generated a job outcome since the inception of the programme.

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of residents in Banff and Buchan constituency who have been referred to the Work programme have been placed in employment which generated a job outcome since the inception of the programme.

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of residents in Perth and North Perthshire constituency who have been referred to the Work programme have been placed in employment which generated a job outcome since the inception of the programme.

Mark Hoban: Statistics up to 31 July 2012 on how many and what proportion of residents in Dundee East, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Moray, Angus, Banff and Buchan, and Perth and North Perthshire constituencies who have been referred to the Work programme since its inception have been placed in employment which generated a job outcome can be found at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=tabtool
	Guidance for users is available at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/tabtools/guidance.pdf
	In order to calculate proportions, the population estimates for Scotland are published by the General Register Office for Scotland and can be found at:
	http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/theme/population/estimates/mid-year/index.html

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Apprentices

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has made an assessment of the value for money of the apprenticeship clauses in the Department for Work and Pensions's standard contract introduced in July 2011; and if he will make a statement.

Matthew Hancock: No such assessment has yet been made. However, apprenticeships are central to the Government's plans, and we therefore support the use of public procurement to promote the take-up of apprenticeships where appropriate. This means where such a policy represents good value for money and can be delivered in a way which is flexible, proportionate and not overly prescriptive.

Consumer Goods: Prices

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  if he will undertake research into ways to encourage private companies to avoid increasing prices of consumer goods wherever possible whilst maintaining profitability;
	(2)  what the Government's policy is on mitigating the effect on consumers of price increases made by private companies for the sole purpose of increasing profit;
	(3)  if he will consider the merits of creating incentives for private companies to provide relief for consumers by refraining from raising prices unless necessary to maintain profitability.

Jo Swinson: The Government are well aware of the pressures faced by consumers in this challenging economic climate. However, generally pricing policy is a commercial matter for the companies concerned.
	The best way of ensuring consumers get a good deal is by encouraging effective competition between firms. Where firms are behaving anti-competitively and this is leading to bad outcomes for consumers, the Office of Fair Trading has strong powers to intervene.
	Retail is a fiercely competitive sector, and pricing of consumer goods is one of the areas in which competition is at its most powerful.
	Consumers who understand their rights can play a strong part in driving market competition because they force businesses to innovate and pursue efficiency. The Government published a number of consultations last year that together proposed a fundamental reform of consumer legislation. The proposals clarify the law where it is confusing for consumers or where it has not kept pace with technological developments and contains important new protections for consumers alongside measures to lower regulatory burdens for business, all with the aim of making markets work better.
	In addition, the Government recently introduced legislation which will ban excessive payment surcharges being charged to consumers. The Consumer Rights (Payment Surcharges) Regulations 2012 prohibit traders from charging consumers more than the cost borne by the trader for the use of a given means of payment such as a credit card.
	The Government have also better equipped Trading Standards to take greater responsibility for consumer law enforcement by transferring central Government funding for national leadership and co-ordination of enforcement activity from the OFT to the National Trading Standards Board. Trading Standards is taking on responsiblity for consumer code schemes and most business-facing education. Together, these measures will support business to better respond to customers, and promote those who serve customers well, while strengthening protection against poor practice.
	The Consumer Protection Partnership (CPP), formerly the Strategic Intelligence, Prevention and Enforcement Partnership, works together to share intelligence, and identify current and future issues that could adversely affect consumers. The CPP is developing an agreed mechanism for gathering, analysing and utilising relevant intelligence and information in order to highlight potential areas of consumer detriment for study and action.

Export Controls

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he takes to ensure that UK companies are not disadvantaged by export licence decisions made by UK Trade and Investment.

Michael Fallon: The Export Control Organisation (ECO) is the licensing authority for strategic exports in the United Kingdom. The ECO aims to operate an efficient, predictable and transparent licensing regime which takes account of the needs of business while ensuring that all export licence applications are rigorously assessed against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria. We do not allow commercial considerations to outweigh the need to give each case proper scrutiny and to take decisions in line with announced policy and our international obligations.
	However, where a decision is taken to refuse a licence application for a UK export, a denial notification is issued to all EU member states and, where appropriate, participating states in the relevant international export control regimes. This assists other Governments to apply the ‘no-undercut’ principle where they have an essentially identical export, and this helps to minimise any disadvantage to the UK exporter affected.
	Although UK Trade and Investment is not involved in the export licensing decision making process, ECO works closely with UKTI to ensure that export controls are considered at an early stage of planning major export campaigns. ECO and UKTI also work jointly to raise awareness of export controls with UK companies.

Export Controls: India

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many and what proportion of applications for export licences to India have been refused in each of the last five years.

Michael Fallon: The number of standard individual export licences granted and refused for India for the last five years are as follows:
	
		
			  Licences granted Licences refused Percentage refusal rate 
			 2012 995 12 1.2 
			 2011 900 10 1.0 
			 2010 926 7 0.8 
			 2009 818 4 0.4 
			 2008 757 1 0.1

Higher Education: Admissions

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of (a) all young people in state education, (b) young people in state education with grades BBB or above at A-level and (c) young people in state education with grades AAA or above at A-level (i) applied as one of their UCAS choices to and (ii) were offered and accepted a place at (A) Oxford or Cambridge universities and (B) any other Russell group university for each local authority area in England in the last three years.

David Willetts: The information is not available centrally. Data on applicants and acceptances to full-time undergraduate courses are collected by the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS).
	UCAS has not calculated these data. Its end of cycle report for 2012, available at:
	http://www.ucas.ac.uk/about_us/media_enquiries/
	shows that acceptance rates for applicants who achieve AAA, AAB, ABB or BBB are high, around 90%. UCAS is an organisation independent from Government.

Industrial Disputes

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effect on the UK economy of (a) strike action and (b) threatened strike action in each of the last five years.

Jo Swinson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28 February 2013, Official Report, column 636W.

London Underground: Industrial Disputes

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the (a) effect on the UK economy of and (b) number of people adversely affected by industrial action on the London Underground in each of the last five years.

Jo Swinson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28 February 2013, Official Report, column 636W.

Minimum Wage

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on the future of the national minimum wage; and if he will make a statement.

Jo Swinson: The Government are committed to the national minimum wage.
	Our aim is to have a minimum wage rate that helps as many low-paid workers as possible, while making sure that we do not damage their employment prospects by setting it too high.
	I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement given by the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), on 15 April 2013, Official Report, columns 1-3WS, which set out the increased minimum wage rates that will apply from 1 October 2013.
	In addition to the minimum wage, the Government are doing everything they can to help all working people on low pay with the cost of living. That is why we are cutting income tax for the low paid and taking 2.4 million people out of tax altogether.

Public Sector: Industrial Disputes

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment has he made of the incidence of bullying and harassment of employees to support public sector strike action.

Jo Swinson: No such assessment has been made. However the Government are clear that bullying and harassment of employees in the workplace is completely unacceptable.
	Legislation provides safeguards for employees against various types of harassment in the workplace (on grounds of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, etc). In addition, protection is provided by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (where intentional harassment is made a criminal offence), and the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 (where harassment is made a criminal offence and victims have a right to damages).
	Persons who induce employees to breach their contracts of employment (eg by taking industrial action), or are involved in intimidation or conspiracy become liable for industrial torts. Trade unions and individuals are only shielded from such liability as long as their actions with regard to an industrial dispute remain lawful—ie by complying with the various statutory requirements and by picketing peacefully. Bullying and harassment in respect of industrial action is not protected, thereby exposing those involved to the possibility of injunctions and liability in tort. If a trade union becomes aware that such activities are taking place it will almost certainly repudiate them in order to maintain statutory protection.
	Government, through the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS), have a national helpline offering advice to both employers and employees: 0845 747 4747.

Public Sector: Procurement

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on the proposed change to Article 19 of the European directive on the procurement of contracts for public works, public supply and public service.

Jo Swinson: The European Commission, following an extensive consultation with member states, has issued proposals for new directives on public procurement. The proposals represent the first wholesale revision of public procurement law in the European Union since 2004 and are aimed at modernising the legislation. Within those proposals is a change to Article 19 which relates to reserved contracts.
	Previously, contracting authorities (such as BIS) were able to go directly to organisations which employed more than 50% of disadvantaged individuals (defined in the legislation) and award a contract without competing for the requirement to achieve certain social objectives.
	The revision to Article 19 is contained within the new proposed Article 17. The significant changes are that the threshold for employees has been reduced to 30%; however, the requirement will now need to be competed for and limited to other similarly structured organisations.
	These proposals are due to be finalised during the summer of 2013 and will then need to be transposed into UK legislation (usually within 21 months). During this period BIS will need to investigate and generate a policy on how it can take advantage of the opportunity presented by these proposed changes.

Skills Funding Agency

Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which company holds the largest contract to provide mobile telephony services to the Skills Funding Agency; how much was paid under the contract in the last year for which figures are available; how many individual services are covered by the contract; when the contract was awarded; when the contract will next be renewed; and for how long.

Matthew Hancock: The chief executive of the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) is responsible for all matters concerning the operation and running of the SFA. I have therefore asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member direct, and place a copy of the reply in the House Library.

Staff

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many days of work were carried out by officials in (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on average in each of the last five years; and what the total salary cost was of officials in each year.

Jo Swinson: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) was formed through a Machinery of Government change that occurred in June 2009. Therefore there are no data available prior to that date.
	All civil servants employed by BIS are expected, on average, to attend for 220 working days per year. This excludes weekends, public and privilege leave and annual leave for full-time employees. The total salary costs for civil servants employed by BIS are shown in the Annual Report and Accounts which can be viewed at:
	BIS Annual Report and Accounts 2010-11:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/31935/11-p102-bis-annual-report-and-accounts-2010-11.pdf
	BIS Annual Report and Accounts 2011-12:
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/corporate/docs/B/12-p102-bis-annual-report-and-accounts-2011-12
	This Department does not hold centrally the information you request concerning its non-departmental public bodies and it could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	I have approached the Chief Executives of the Department's Executive Agencies (Insolvency Service, Companies House, National Measurement Office, Intellectual Property Office, UK Space Agency, Ordnance Survey, Met Office, Land Registry and the Skills Funding Agency) and they will respond to the hon. Member directly.
	Letter from Tim Moss, dated 12 April 2013
	I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Question tabled 10 April 2013, to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, UIN 151098.
	Companies House employs officials on contracts that cover a wide variety of working patterns, and a breakdown of the number of days worked by officials for each of the last five years could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The total salary cost of officials working for Companies House is contained in our annual reports, which are published on our website at:
	http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/about/corporateDocuments.shtml
	Letter from John Alty, dated 15 April 2013
	I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled 10th April 2013, to the Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is the Operating name of The Patent Office and an Executive Agency of BIS.
	All civil servants employed by the IPO are expected, on average, to attend for 220 working days per year. This excludes weekends, public and privilege leave and annual leave for full-time employees. The total salary costs for civil servants employed by the IPO are shown in the Annual Report and Accounts which can be viewed at:
	The Patent Annual Report and Accounts 2010-11:
	http://www.ipo.gov.uk/about-anrep1011.pdf
	The Patent Annual Report and Accounts 2011 -12:
	http://www.ipo.gov.uk/about-anrep1112.pdf
	Letter from David Parker, dated 12 April 2013
	Thank you for your question addressed to the Secretary of State for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills asking how many days of work were carried out by officials in (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on average in each of the last five years; and what the total salary cost was of officials in each year.
	The UK Space Agency became an Executive Agency of the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills on the 1st April 2011.
	All civil servants employed by the UK Space Agency are expected, on average, to attend for 220 working days per year. This excludes weekends, public and privilege leave and annual leave. The total salary costs for civil servants employed by the UK Space Agency are shown in the Annual Report and Accounts which can be viewed at:
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/ukspaceagency/publications
	Letter from Peter Mason, dated 15 April 2013
	I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Office (NMO) to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 10 April 2013, asking the Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) about the average number of days of work officials carried out in each of the last five years, and their total salary cost in each year.
	A breakdown of the number of days worked by NMO officials for each of the last five years could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The total salary costs for civil servants employed by NMO are shown in the Annual Report and Accounts which can be viewed as follows:
	NMO Annual Report and Accounts 2011-12:
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/nmo/docs/about-us/key-docs/nmo-annual-report-and-accounts-2011-12-website-version.pdf
	NMO Annual Report and Accounts 2010-11:
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/nmo/docs/about-us/key-docs/nmo-annual-report-and-accounts-2010-11-website-version.pdf
	Letter from Jon Cocking, dated 15 April 2013
	I write on behalf of Land Registry in response to Parliamentary Question 151098 tabled on 10 April 2013 which asked the following:
	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many days of work were carried out by officials in (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on average in each of the last five years; and what the total salary cost was of officials in each year.
	Land Registry has been an Executive Agency of BIS since July 2011.
	All employees of Land Registry are expected, on average, to attend for 220 working days per year. This excludes weekends, public holidays and annual leave for full-time employees. The total salary costs for employees of Land Registry are shown in the Annual Reports and Accounts which can be viewed at:
	Land Registry Annual Report and Accounts 2010-11:
	http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/1754/Annual_Report_1011.pdf
	Land Registry Annual Report and Accounts 2011-12:
	http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/12710/Annual-Report-2011_12-web.pdf
	I hope you find this information useful.
	Letter from Dr Vanessa Lawrence CB, dated 16 April 2013
	As Director General and Chief Executive of Ordnance Survey, I have been asked to respond to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, “how many days of work were carried out by officials in (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on average in each of the last five years; and what the total salary cost was of officials in each year”.
	The average number of days worked by each of Ordnance Survey's full-time members of staff in each of the past five years was as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
			 2007-08 220 
			 2008-09 220 
			 2009-10 220 
			 2010-11 219 
			 2011-12 219 
		
	
	These figures take into account weekends, annual leave, public holidays and privilege days.
	The total salary cost in each year was as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
			 2007-08 40.85 
			 2008-09 41.48 
			 2009-10 38.97 
			 2010-11 36.52 
			 2011-12 35.45 
		
	
	I hope this information is helpful.
	Letter from Dr Richard Judge, dated 16 April 2013
	The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills has asked me to reply to your question, how many days of work were carried out by officials in (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on average in each of the last five years; and what the total salary cost was of officials in each year.
	All civil servants employed by The Insolvency Service are expected, on average, to attend for 220 working days per year. This excludes weekends, public and privilege leave and annual leave for full-time employees.
	The total salary costs for civil servants employed by The Insolvency Service are shown in the Agency's Annual Reports, which can be viewed at:
	The Insolvency Annual Report 2007-08:
	http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/hc0708/hc08/0800/0800.pdf
	The Insolvency Annual Report 2008-09:
	http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/hc0809/hc06/0623/0623.pdf
	The Insolvency Annual Report 2009-10:
	http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/hc1011/hc02/0236/0236.pdf
	The Insolvency Annual Report 2010-11:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/32579/1388.pdf
	The Insolvency Annual Report 2011-12:
	http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/hc1213/hc03/0358/0358.pdf
	Letter from Nick Jobling, dated 16 April 2013
	I am replying on behalf of the Chief Executive of the Met Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 10 April 2013, UIN 151098 to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	The average number of days worked and the total salary cost for Met Office staff in each of the last 5 years are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 
			 Total salary cost (£000) 58,487 58,507 58,434 55,847 51,721 
			 Average working days per full time equivalent(1) 215 215 216 215 215 
			 (1) Excluding weekends, bank holidays, leave entitlements and average working days lost. 
		
	
	I hope this helps.
	Letter from Kim Thorneywork, dated 12 April 2013
	Thank you for your question addressed to the Secretary of State for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills asking how many days of work were carried out by officials in (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on average in each of the last five years; and what the total salary cost was of officials in each year.
	The Skills Funding Agency formed in 2010 therefore data has been provided from this period onwards.
	All civil servants employed by the Skills Funding Agency are expected, on average, to attend for 221 working days per year. This excludes weekends, bank holidays and annual leave. The total salary costs for civil servants employed by the Skills Funding Agency are shown in the Annual Report and Accounts which can be viewed at:
	http://skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk/publications/

UK Trade and Investment

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will review the salary of the Chief Executive of UK Trade and Investment.

Jo Swinson: The salary of the current Chief Executive of UKTI was set using normal civil service pay rules and was in line with the advertised rate for the role. As a serving civil servant the current incumbent is eligible for base pay increases and performance awards in line with the annual recommendations of the Senior Salaries Remuneration Body. No further review is planned.

UK Trade and Investment

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will outsource responsibility of exports from UKTI to a private sector company for three years in order to make an assessment of UKTI's comparative performance.

Michael Fallon: UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) already outsources responsibility for a large and increasing share of its export services. Services currently outsourced include the UK-based advisory services provided by teams of international trade advisers in the English regions, the Export Marketing Research Scheme and the Export Communications Review service. Seven years of performance and impact monitoring data for these services are available in a consistent and comparable form, allowing robust comparison over time. Time series for these data are published for each service in the quarterly and annual reports on the Performance and Impact Monitoring Survey (PIMS), available on the UKTI website (www.ukti.gov.uk) at:
	http://www.ukti.gov.uk/uktihome/aboutukti/ourperformance/performanceimpactandmonitoringsurvey/quarterlysurveys.html
	In addition, UKTI is currently in the process of extending the range of services which are outsourced by contracting out primary responsibility for delivering export related events. The contractual arrangements will provide for robust monitoring of performance and impact through the same PIMS process which is currently used to monitor performance of UKTI supported events. This will allow for robust comparison of performance of events under the new arrangements with that of events delivered under previous arrangements.
	A recent independent evaluation of the commercial services delivered by the network of UKTI teams in UK embassies and consulates overseas(1 )investigated the scope for further private sector engagement in these services. The final report included a recommendation to explore the opportunities for selective outsourcing, which UKTI has accepted.
	The full report and UKTI response are available on the UKTI website at:
	http://www.ukti.gov.uk/uktihome/aboutukti/ourperformance/evaluation/comparativeandcrosscutting.html
	(1 )London Economics (2011) Evaluation of the commercial services provided by UK Trade and Investment's overseas network.

Ultra Electronics

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 13 March 2013, Official Report, column 221W, on Ultra Electronics, what the purpose was of the meetings between Mr Douglas Caster and Lord Green and other members of the Middle East Task Force; and if he will place a copy of the minutes of those meetings in the Library.

Michael Fallon: The Middle East Task Force is a business-led informal stakeholder group, providing a forum for high-level discussion on strategic issues and opportunities relating to Britain's business interests in the Middle East. The membership comprises senior representatives from business and institutions. My Noble Friend the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint, chairs the Task Force and Mr Douglas Caster is a member. Minutes of the Middle East Task Force are recorded but not published. To publish such records would not be in the public interest as it would be likely to prejudice the free and frank advice that Ministers receive from officials and external bodies.

Vocational Training

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to his Department's report, Rigour and Responsiveness in Skills, published in April 2013, when the new intervention process will take effect.

Matthew Hancock: The new intervention process will be fully operational from the new academic year starting in August 2013, once the appointment of an FE Commissioner has been completed.

Vocational Training

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to his Department's report, Rigour and Responsiveness in Skills, published in April 2013, whether there will be set points in the academic year at which risks in colleges will be assessed.

Matthew Hancock: Ofsted inspections happen at any time and could lead to risks in colleges being assessed, specifically if they are graded as requiring improvement or inadequate. The current routine assessments of the risks in colleges brought together regularly across the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the Department for Education, the Skills Funding Agency, the Education Funding Agency and Ofsted will in future also involve the new FE Commissioner when they are appointed as appropriate. These will be based on a structured review taking place on at least a quarterly basis and more frequently when that is felt to be needed.

Vocational Training

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to his Department's report, Rigour and Responsiveness in Skills, published in April 2013, how his Department will define failing financial control in colleges.

Matthew Hancock: The Skills Funding Agency defines failing financial control in colleges as occurring where as part of their regular monitoring of colleges' financial positions, they identify significant non-compliance with regulatory requirements or significant concerns from an overall qualified opinion from any of the colleges’ auditors.

Vocational Training

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to his Department's report, Rigour and Responsiveness in Skills, published in April 2013, what specific responsibilities an FE Commissioner will hold.

Matthew Hancock: The FE Commissioner will act as the single point of contact in cases where intervention action is deemed necessary in a college. They will offer expert advice, opinion and recommendations to me and my Departments on how to address underperformance and work directly with a college to create and deliver improvement plans or other solutions as appropriate. In particular, their role will be to:
	consult with and advise the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Education, the Skills Funding Agency and the Education Funding Agency on the intervention action that is needed so that Ministers can take decisions;
	help review the position of the relevant college within a two-week timeframe, holding discussions with the college governors, the principal, local stakeholders and the agencies;
	advise and recommend solutions from a suite of potential interventions as set out in ‘Rigour and Responsiveness’;
	work with the college governing body and senior management team to develop and take forward a recovery plan that will need to be implemented.

HEALTH

Accident and Emergency Departments

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients waited longer than four hours for treatment in Accident and Emergency departments in 2012; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry: The total number of people in accident and emergency (A and E) departments who waited longer than four hours from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge in 2012 is 813,474 across all A and E types.
	The A and E waiting time standard as set out in the NHS Constitution is for 95% of patients to be seen within four hours from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge. In 2012, 96% of patients were seen within four hours.
	Source:
	Weekly A and E situation reports, Department of Health for the period week ending 8 January 2012 to 30 December 2012.

Accident and Emergency Departments

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what his policy is on procedures for immuno-suppressed patients entering hospital accident and emergency departments;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of five-year survival rates for immuno-suppressed patients in (a) the UK, (b) other European countries and (c) the United States.

Norman Lamb: Hospitals are responsible for ensuring that they have procedures in place for managing immuno-suppressed patients entering accident and emergency departments and minimising the risks of patients developing infections. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence issued updated guidance on the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections in primary and community care in March 2012, and also issue guidance on dealing with specific immuno-suppressive treatments.
	The information on five-year survival rates for immuno-suppressed patients in the UK, other European countries and the United States is not collected or held centrally by the Department.

Accidents

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many falls resulting in hospital admissions were attributable to (a) vision impairment, (b) neurological conditions, (c) hip replacements and (d) other causes in each primary care trust in each of the last five years for which figures are available;
	(2)  what the five most frequent causes of falls were resulting in hospital admissions for people aged (a) 49 and under, (b) from 50 to 59 years, (c) from 60 to 69 years, (d) from 70 to 79 years and (e) 80 years and older in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Anna Soubry: This information is not available in the format requested.
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data can provide a reason for an injury where appropriate, this includes falls. However, this data does not include a reason for falls attributable to hip replacements, neurological conditions or vision impairment.
	HES data showing the five most frequent types of falls resulting in hospital admissions for people aged 49 and under, from 50 to 59 years, from 60 to 69 years, from 70 to 79 years and 80 years and older in each of the last five years has been placed in the following table.
	
		
			 A count of finished admission episodes(1) for the top five* types of fall(2) as well as the total falls for (a) 49 years and under, (b) from 50 to 59 years, (c) from 60 to 69 years, (d) from 70 to 79 years and (e) 80 years and older for 2007-08 to 2011-12(3)—Activity in English NHS hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector 
			 Age group Top five types of fall (external cause)* 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 
			 0-49 W19 Unspecified fall 23,186 24,074 25,645 24,554 24,659 
			  W01 Fall on same level from slipping tripping and stumbling 20,096 19,866 20,068 19,382 19,506 
			  W10 Fall on and from stairs and steps 11,785 12,186 13,287 13,531 13,595 
			  W18 Other fall on same level 8,258 8,772 10,106 10,470 11,108 
			  W09 Fall involving playground equipment 7,858 7,557 8,591 8,747 9,409 
			   Total falls 106,939 108,964 119,413 117,596 116,839 
			         
			 50-59 W19 Unspecified fall 7,046 7,629 8,316 8,545 8,700 
			  W01 Fall on same level from slipping tripping and stumbling 6,170 6,354 6,702 6,563 6,515 
		
	
	
		
			  W10 Fall on and from stairs and steps 3,606 3,803 4,146 4,112 4,186 
			  W18 Other fall on same level 1,887 2,102 2,434 2,615 2,812 
			  W11 Fall on and from ladder 1,261 1,196 1,385 1,316 1,342 
			  W00 Fall on same level involving ice and snow 202 1,299 3,299 2,654 778 
			   Total falls 22,902 25,031 29,201 28,869 27,473 
			         
			 60-69 W19 Unspecified fall 10,831 12,061 13,323 13,975 14,917 
			  W01 Fall on same level from slipping tripping and stumbling 8,854 9,158 9,950 10,117 10,572 
			  W10 Fall on and from stairs and steps 3,828 4,073 4,521 4,854 5,144 
			  W18 Other fall on same level 2,851 3,105 3,654 4,230 4,636 
			  W11 Fall on and from ladder 1,233 1,220 1,483 1,512 1,539 
			  W00 Fall on same level involving ice and snow 215 1,490 3,774 3,077 900 
			   Total falls 30,775 34,336 40,432 41,692 41,918 
			         
			 70-79 W19 Unspecified fall 26,008 28,305 29,736 32,101 33,134 
			  W01 Fall on same level from slipping tripping and stumbling 15,273 15,736 16,212 16,531 17,074 
			  W18 Other fall on same level 6,222 6,649 7,850 8,508 9,311 
			  W10 Fall on and from stairs and steps 4,714 5,305 5,830 6,103 6,267 
			  W06 Fall involving bed 2,274 2,516 2,941 3,380 3,621 
			  W00 Fall on same level involving ice and snow 223 1,361 3,357 2,590 747 
			   Total falls 58,206 63,763 70,367 73,891 74,886 
			         
			 80+ W19 Unspecified fall 79,065 88,444 95,513 105,614 111,960 
			  W01 Fall on same level from slipping tripping and stumbling 32,459 32,561 34,838 36,244 38,051 
			  W18 Other fall on same level 17,064 18,690 22,387 25,320 28,008 
			  W06 Fall involving bed 8,404 9,467 11,123 12,717 13,961 
		
	
	
		
			  W10 Fall on and from stairs and steps 6,481 6,967 8,193 8,723 9,419 
			   Total falls 150,458 164,660 183,096 199,916 212,171 
			 * Top five for 2011-12. Where this is different for previous years additional codes have been shown to include the top five for that year. (1) Finished admission episodes A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients; as a person may have more than one admission within the year. (2) ICD 10 external cause codes Falls are coded by the following external cause codes: W00 Fall on same level involving ice and snow W01 Fall on same level from slipping tripping and stumbling W02 Fall involving ice-skates skis roller-skates or skateboards W03 Other fall same level due collision/pushing by another person W04 Fall while being carried or supported by other persons W05 Fall involving wheelchair W06 Fall involving bed W07 Fall involving chair W08 Fall involving other furniture W09 Fall involving playground equipment W10 Fall on and from stairs and steps W11 Fall on and from ladder W12 Fall on and from scaffolding W13 Fall from out of or through building or structure W14 Fall from tree W15 Fall from cliff W16 Diving/jumping into water causing injury other than drowning or submersion W17 Other fall from one level to another W18 Other fall on same level W19 Unspecified fall (3) Assessing growth through time (in-patients) HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care. Data quality: HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts in England and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS, Health and Social Care Information Centre liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to reduce spending on treating alcohol-related illnesses (a) generally and (b) among middle-aged, middle-class women.

Anna Soubry: The Government's Alcohol Strategy, published on 23 March 2012, brings together the Government's approach to reducing the incidence of alcohol-related disease and crime.
	The Strategy includes a range of actions such as:
	proposals to tackle the availability of cheap alcohol;
	an industry pledge through the Responsibility Deal to take one billion units out of the market by 2015;
	building on the introduction of a ring-fenced public health grant to local authorities in England through greater use of brief interventions, specialised alcohol treatment, and alcohol liaison nurses within hospital emergency departments; and
	in England, we are funding an alcohol check within the NHS Health Check for adults aged between 40 and 74 for the first time from April 2013.
	The Government sought views on a number of measures set out in the Alcohol Strategy, in a consultation published by the Home Office on 28 November, which concluded on 6 February. We will set out a response in due course.
	Dame Sally Davies, the chief medical officer, will oversee a review of the alcohol guidelines to ensure they are based on the best possible evidence. This will include consideration of health risks from alcohol consumption for women.

Ambulance Services

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what powers he has to remove members of ambulance service NHS trusts.

Anna Soubry: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has delegated his powers to remove members of a national health service trust's board to the NHS Trust Development Authority (NTDA). The NTDA can invoke Secretary of State's intervention and default powers where a trust is not carrying out its functions properly, for instance in the case of immediate quality or safety breakdown. The powers include suspension and replacement of chair, and any or all directors including executive directors. The NTDA can also trigger the unsustainable provider regime (UPR) where a trust is in distress. The UPR entails the suspension and replacement of the trust's Board by a trust special administrator.
	The NTDA also has powers to terminate the appointment of Chairs and non-executive directors of. an NHS trust if a person is bankrupt, has a criminal conviction involving a prison sentence of three months or more, or has been dismissed from paid health service employment other than redundancy. The NTDA may also disqualify such persons from being a chair or non executive director.

Antibiotics

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department uses the definition of treatment and prevention set out in the questions and answers document EMA/CVMP/414812/2005 on the Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products guideline on the Summary Product Characteristics for antimicrobial products EMEA/CVMP/SAGAM/383441/2005, providing clearer guidance on the indication treatment and prevention.

Norman Lamb: The Department of Health and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) do not use the definitions from the Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products Guidelines EMA/CVMP/414812/2005 and EMEA/CVMP/SAGAM/383441/2005 on the Summary Product Characteristics for antimicrobial products. This is because they concern treatment and prevention of diseases in animals and do not fall within the remit of the MHRA.
	Under these guidelines the term “treatment” refers to the treatment of an individual animal, or a group of animals showing clinical signs of an infectious disease.
	The term “prevention” refers to the administration of the product at the same time to other in-contact animals, to prevent them from developing clinical signs, and to prevent further spread of the disease. The presence of the disease in the group/flock must be established before the product is used.
	This is the remit of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
	A copy of the documents mentioned has been placed in the Library.

Ashleigh Ewing

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish the investigation by the North East Strategic Health Authority into the death of Ashleigh Ewing.

Daniel Poulter: The former North East Strategic Health Authority commissioned an independent investigation relating to the death of Ashleigh Ewing. On 1 April 2013, NHS England became responsible for publication of the independent investigation.
	NHS England advises that the investigation has taken longer than originally expected and will publish the report as soon as possible.

Blood: Contamination

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give consideration to issuing a formal acknowledgement that the contamination of NHS blood products 30 years ago was the responsibility of the then Government.

Anna Soubry: This Government have previously said how sorry it is that these events occurred, and have expressed deep regret for the pain and misery that many have suffered as a result, 10 January 2011, Official Report, column 33W. I would like to reiterate those sentiments.

Blood: Contamination

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to mark 2013 as the 30th anniversary of the first haemophiliac fatality attributed to contaminated NHS-supplied blood products.

Anna Soubry: There are no plans to mark 2013 as the 30th anniversary of the first haemophiliac fatality attributed to contaminated NHS-supplied blood products. This Government have already said how sorry they are that this happened, and have expressed deep regret for the pain and misery that many have suffered as a result.

Cancer

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when he expects the NHS Commissioning Board to announce further operational details on Strategic Clinical Networks for Cancer;
	(2)  how local cancer networks will be used to inform the design and delivery of cancer services.

Anna Soubry: Cancer is a priority condition for the first strategic clinical networks (SCNs) that were established from 1 April 2013. ‘Single Operating Framework for Strategic Clinical Networks’, published in November 2012, covers the establishment, development and function of SCNs, and includes areas such as accountability and governance arrangements, models of the support teams and evaluation of network effectiveness. The framework was developed to promote consistency, but also to allow for local interpretation so health communities can develop their SCN structures in line with local needs and circumstances. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library.
	SCNs bring together all commissioners and providers in the new health system to plan pathways of care that deliver the best outcomes for patients. Commissioners can use networks as a source of clinical advice and support in driving their quality improvement programmes locally.
	More information on the SCNs can be found on the NHS England website at:
	www.england.nhs.uk
	by typing ‘Resources for networks and senates’ into the search bar.

Cancer

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 14 February 2013, Official Report, column 804W, on cancer, which trusts have produced action plans based on the results of the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey;
	(2)  what role his Department will have in improving cancer patient experience.

Anna Soubry: As set out in the NHS Mandate, NHS Constitution and the NHS Outcomes Framework, patient experience, making the national health service more responsive to patients' needs is a key Government priority.
	The mandate to NHS England requires it to deliver continued improvements in relation to patients' experience of care, including cancer care. The results of the Cancer Patient Experience Survey will continue to support the improvement of the local NHS.
	Since April this year, responsibility for the cancer patient experience survey lies with NHS England.
	The Department does not hold a record of every trust that has produced an action plan following the results of the National Cancer Patient Experience survey 2011-12.
	The National Cancer Action Team (now part of NHS Improving Quality) published a report entitled ‘Improvement in cancer patient experience ratings: how have they been made?’, in which the top 10 performing and most improved trusts were interviewed following the results of the survey, to see how trusts could improve patient experience across the NHS. A list of these trusts is available in the report.
	A copy of this report has been placed in the Library.

Cancer: Drugs

Mark Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the Cancer Drugs Fund, as announced by the NHS Commissioning Board, whether access to some treatments previously available through the fund will be restricted.

Norman Lamb: Since NHS England took on oversight of the Cancer Drugs Fund from 1 April 2013, it has published a national list of cancer drugs covered by cohort policies on its website at:
	www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/ncdf-list.pdf
	We understand that the great majority of cancer drugs previously funded by strategic health authority panels are on this cohort policy list, supporting timely and consistent access. Clinicians can apply to the national Cancer Drugs Fund for the inclusion of a drug within the approved cohort list.
	Regional clinical panels will continue to consider individual patient applications where a patient is considered to be exceptional to a cohort, policy or where use under a cohort policy has not been considered due to the rarity of the condition.

Vascular Services

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued to NHS providers on maximum acceptable transfer times for patients requiring in-patient vascular services.

Norman Lamb: The Department has not published any guidance on this matter.
	Decisions about local NHS services are a matter for the local NHS. Vascular services are being reviewed locally across England in response to robust evidence, which shows that better patient outcomes are achieved when complex procedures, such as vascular surgery, are provided by units which treat higher volumes of patients.

Chemotherapy

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which groups will henceforward be responsible for commissioning personalised and stratified medicine genomic tests that assess the need for chemotherapy.

Anna Soubry: The commissioning of all chemotherapy drugs is defined as a prescribed service for direct commissioning by NHS England. Medical Genetics is additionally a prescribed service for direct commissioning by NHS England. National clinical reference groups have been established for both chemotherapy drugs and for Medical Genetics to improve the commissioning of these services.

Chemotherapy

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether a diagnostic test which assesses the need for chemotherapy for breast cancer patients will be commissioned within the specialised commissioning budget.

Anna Soubry: The suitability of a diagnostic for specialised commissioning would be a matter for NHS England.
	The National institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is consulting on draft diagnostic guidance on tests to assess the suitability of chemotherapy in certain breast cancer patients. It is anticipated that the final guidance ‘Gene expression profiling and expanded immunohistochemistry tests to guide the use of adjuvant chemotherapy in early breast cancer management: MammaPrint, Oncotype DX, IHC4 and Mammostrat’ will be published in September 2013. The guidance can be found on the NICE website at:
	www.nice.org.uk
	by typing ‘gene expression profiling’ into the search bar.

Computers

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) desktop computers, (b) laptop computers and (c) tablet devices his Department has purchased in the last two years.

Daniel Poulter: The Department has purchased the following devices during the last two calendar years commencing January 2011.
	
		
			  Calendar years 
			  2011 2012 
			 Thin client 331 255 
			 Desktop 53 253 
			 Laptop 33 1,981 
			 Tablet 10 174 
			 Note: Period covers January 2011 to December 2012

Dementia

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has a dementia strategy.

Norman Lamb: ‘Living well with dementia: A National Dementia Strategy’, was published by the Department of Health in 2009.
	In March 2012, the Prime Minister's challenge on dementia was published with the ambition of building on the national dementia strategy to deliver improvements in health and care, create dementia-friendly communities and ensure better research into dementia. Copies of both documents have already been placed in the Library.
	In November 2012, the groups published ‘Delivering major improvements in dementia care and research by 2015: a report of progress’. We expect to publish an annual report on progress in May 2013.

Dementia: Tower Hamlets

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to improve the diagnosis rate for dementia in the London borough of Tower Hamlets.

Norman Lamb: Improving diagnosis rates for dementia is a priority for the Government and we want to see both an increase in the overall rate and a reduction in the current regional variation.
	Dementia has been prioritised by both the Department and through the NHS Mandate and by NHS England through their planning guidance.
	We have asked local areas, through the NHS Mandate, to make measurable progress in improving dementia diagnosis over the next two years, which should reduce the variation and ensure access to timely diagnosis.

Diabetes

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many training places were (a) available and (b) filled for specialist diabetes nurses in each of the last five years.

Daniel Poulter: The numbers of available and filled training places for specialist diabetes nurses is not held centrally.
	The Department and its arm's length bodies do not collect population or attrition data for the number of nurses undertaking specialist, post registration training programmes.
	In order to provide and maintain an efficient and responsive nursing work force that delivers the highest quality of care, local health care employers have responsibility for determining which specialist nurse training programmes are made available and in what number to meet the needs and demands of their local services.

Doctors: Recruitment

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had to increase the recruitment of specialist accident and emergency doctors across the UK.

Daniel Poulter: Departmental officials and members of the College of Emergency Medicine established the Emergency Medicine Taskforce in September 2011 to address work force issues in emergency medicine. The group considered these issues and made recommendations on the future clinician staffing of emergency departments (EDs) with the aim of ensuring patients within EDs receive high quality care that is consistent, responsive, safe and effective as well as being value for money.
	The taskforce has developed an interim report, which contains a number of recommendations exploring many aspects of medical education and training, which may be contributing to the problems that the specialty is currently facing.
	The interim report was presented to the last Medical Education England (MEE) Board on 19 September 2012. The recommendations in the report were strongly supported and MEE has passed the report to Health Education England for action.

Drugs: Prisons

Margot James: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many prisoners have been prescribed methadone because of a heroin addiction in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how much his Department spent on methadone prescriptions in prisons in each of the last five years.

Norman Lamb: Information is not available in respect of the number of prisoners who have been prescribed methadone to treat heroin addiction in each of the last five years. Data are available on the total number of methadone treatments in prison in each of the last five years and are shown in table 1.
	
		
			 Table 1: Number of clinical interventions for opioid (heroin) dependence among prisoners in England between 2007-08 and 2011-12: maintenance-based prescription and abstinence-based detoxification programmes, male and female, all ages 
			  Total number of in-year maintenance prescriptions Total number of individual in-year detoxification treatments provided Aggregate number of in-year clinical drug interventions 
			 2011-12 33,198 31,718 64,916 
			 2010-11 30,650 30,459 61,109 
			 2009-10 23,744 36,323 60,067 
			 2008-09 19,632 45,135 64,767 
			 2007-08 12,518 46,291 58,809 
			 Source: National Offender Management Service 
		
	
	We are informed by Public Health England that data are not collected centrally on spending by prisons on methadone prescriptions. Data are available on total funding allocations for clinical drug treatment to primary care trusts in prisons over the last five years and are shown in table 2. However, the totals include spending on both detoxification and maintenance based interventions and it is not possible to extract methadone prescription costs from the data.
	
		
			 Table 2: Total funding allocations made to primary care trusts for all clinical drug treatments in prisons in England between 2008-09 and 2012-13: male and female, all ages 
			  Total clinical drug funding allocation (£ million) 
			 2012-13 117.5 
			 2011-12 108.4 
			 2010-11 44.5 
			 2009-10 39.7 
		
	
	
		
			 2008-09 23.2 
			 Source: Public Health England 
		
	
	From April 2011, the total allocation included funding for psychosocial interventions which had previously been funded by the National Offender Management Service. In 2012-13 the total included funding for the young persons’ secure estate and for immigration removal centres.

Drugs: Rehabilitation

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what guidance his Department has issued to encourage prescribers to follow a recovery-based approach to treatment since the publication of the National Drug Strategy;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of current National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance on substance misuse to deliver recovery outcomes for patients.

Anna Soubry: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued a suite of drug treatment guidelines published between 2007 and 2008 which highlighted a range of evidence-based interventions which can help people recover from drug-dependence. NICE guidance represents best practice and we expect commissioners and clinicians to take it fully into account in their decision-making.
	The 2010 Drug Strategy recognised that "Recovery can only be delivered through working with education, training, employment, housing, family support services, wider health services and, where relevant, prison, probation and youth justice services to address the needs of the whole person."
	The Department tasked a Recovery Orientated Drug Treatment Expert Group led by Professor John Strang (National Addiction Centre) to look at how to meet the ambition of the 2010 Drug Strategy to help more heroin users to recover and break free of dependence. Their 2012 report, “Medications in recovery: Re-orientating drug dependence treatment” makes clear that heroin users should not be maintained on substitute drugs, such as methadone, without regular review. It also sets out practical steps that local areas can take to increase the recovery orientation of their local treatment systems.

Eating Disorders

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were treated in hospitals for eating disorders in 2011-12; and how many of those people had previously received treatment for an eating disorder through hospital admission.

Norman Lamb: Statistics on hospital episodes gathered by the NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care show that there were 2,287 finished hospital episodes with a primary diagnosis of eating disorders for 2011-12. The number of episodes does not represent the number of patients, as an individual may be admitted to hospital on more than one occasion in any given year. We do not collect information centrally on how many of those people had previously received treatment for an eating disorder through hospital admission.

Electronic Cigarettes

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of any health risks associated with electronic cigarettes; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Lamb: There are a number of products on the market which claim to contain nicotine, such as electronic cigarettes, which are widely available but are not licensed medicines. Currently, any nicotine-containing product (NCP) which claims or implies that it can treat nicotine addiction is considered to be a medicinal product. This approach has allowed NCPs which do not make such claims to be used and sold without the safeguards built into the regulation of medicinal products.
	In March 2011, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) published the outcome of a public consultation on whether to bring all NCPs within the medicines licensing regime. The response to consultation highlighted the need for further information to inform a decision. Since this time, the MHRA co-ordinated a programme of research to advise on:
	an investigation of the levels of nicotine which have a significant physiological effect through its pharmacological action;
	the nature, quality and safety of unlicensed NCPs;
	the actual use of unlicensed NCPs (excluding tobacco products) in the marketplace;
	the efficacy of unlicensed NCPs in smoking cessation; and
	modelling of the potential impact of bringing these products into medicines regulation on public health outcomes.
	The MHRA is currently bringing to a conclusion this period of scientific and market research with a view to a final decision on the application of medicines regulation later this year.

Electronic Cigarettes

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to make its final decision on the application of medicines regulation to electronic cigarettes containing nicotine.

Norman Lamb: In March 2011, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) published the outcome of a public consultation on whether to bring all nicotine containing products within the medicines licensing regime. The response to the consultation highlighted the need for further information to inform a decision. The MHRA is co-ordinating a programme of scientific and market research and aims to inform a final decision on the application of medicines regulation later this year.

Fertility

Kevin Barron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which directorate of the NHS Commissioning Board is responsible for infertility.

Anna Soubry: NHS England has informed us that oversight of the commissioning of national health service fertility services will be the responsibility of its medical directorate.

General Practitioners

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average age is of general practitioners in the NHS.

Daniel Poulter: At 30 September 2012, the average age of general practitioners (GPs) providing NHS primary medical services was 46.69. This compares to 46.66 in 2011 and 46.63 in 2010.
	This information, which was provided by the Health and Social Care Information Centre, includes all GPs (excluding GP retainers and GP registrars) and is based on GPs with a known age.

Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure that the health of people with atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) are not disadvantaged by his Department's decision to refer to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence the evaluation of cost, benefit and affordability of eculizumab for the treatment of aHUS in England.

Norman Lamb: Until the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has completed its evaluation of eculizumab under its highly specialised technologies programme, arrangements have been put in place to ensure existing patients previously funded by primary care trusts will continue to receive eculizumab following the transferral of responsibility for specialised commissioning to NHS England from 1 April 2013.
	NHS England is also developing a single process for considering new funding requests for this drug in the period prior to the completion of NICE's evaluation.

Haemophilia

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to support the haemophilia community.

Anna Soubry: The Department has supported the haemophilia community in a number of ways and I refer the hon. Member to the written answers I gave him on 1 November 2012, Official Report, columns 360-61W.
	For the first time standards and pathways of care are being standardised across England, with specifications developed through clinical leadership and oversight supported by NHS England which has responsibility for the commissioning of specialised services.
	Clinical commissioning groups, working with Health and Wellbeing Boards, are responsible for ensuring local pathways. Services are commissioned based on local needs and these services will be supported by the appropriate, nationally commissioned, specialist services.

Health Professions: Regulation

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the recommendation of the Health and Care Professions Council that health care practitioners be subject to statutory regulation.

Daniel Poulter: The Command Paper ‘Enabling Excellence’, published in February 2011, sets out the Government's vision for the future of work force regulation which is that while statutory regulation is sometimes necessary where significant risks to users of services cannot be mitigated in other ways, it is not always the most proportionate or effective means of assuring the safe and effective care of service users.
	We are not ruling out compulsory statutory regulation. However, any decision to extend compulsory statutory regulation to a professional or occupational group, including those groups previously recommended for statutory regulation by the Health and Care Professions Council, must be based on a solid body of evidence demonstrating a level of risk to the public, and which cannot be effectively addressed through other means of assurance, including assured voluntary registration.

Health Services

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that patient groups are involved in the design of the procurement tenders by NHS trusts.

Daniel Poulter: The NHS Standards of Procurement which were published in May 2012, and are due to be refreshed in May 2013, were issued as guidance for trusts on how to improve their procurement performance. One of the Standards includes the development of ‘user groups’ for clinical goods and services, which should in some cases include patient representation. It is the individual trusts that will decide when and under what circumstances this is appropriate and how to involve patient groups.

Health Services

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that patient groups are included in strategic decision-making by (a) his Department and (b) the NHS Commissioning Board.

Daniel Poulter: The Department has developed a National Stakeholder Forum as part of the Department's programme of work to engage with patient groups and other external stakeholders to strengthen the quality of their input into the development and implementation of health and social care policies.
	The new system-wide Health and Care Voluntary Sector Strategic Partner programme for 2013-14 will enable a number of voluntary and community sector organisations to influence strategic decision-making by the Department, NHS England (the NHS Commissioning Board) and Public Health England.
	There is a duty on clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to promote the involvement of patients and carers in decisions which relate to their care or treatment, including diagnosis, care planning, treatment and care management.
	A second duty relates to the requirement for CCGs to ensure public involvement and consultation in commissioning processes and decisions. CCGs must include a description of these arrangements their constitution.

Health Services: Foreign Nationals

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many individual items of correspondence his Department received in each of the last 10 years expressing concern about NHS trusts' total losses, bad debts and claims abandoned in relation to overseas visitors not entitled to free NHS treatment.

Anna Soubry: The Department cannot provide the information requested without incurring disproportionate cost.

Heart Diseases: Children

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the number of hospitals identified to provide specialist children's congenital heart surgical services by the safe and sustainable review to meet future demand for the service;
	(2)  when he plans to name the seven hospitals that will continue to provide specialist children's congenital heart surgery following the outcome of the safe and sustainable review.

Anna Soubry: The provision of children's heart surgery is a matter for NHS England.
	The national health service review of children's heart surgery conducted by the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts (JCPCT) was independent of Government. It concluded that children's heart surgery should be concentrated in seven units to maintain and improve the quality of the service to ensure that children received the very best care now and in future.
	Following initial advice from the Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) on referrals from three overview and scrutiny committees, the Secretary of State asked the IRP to undertake a full review of the JCPCT’s decision on which units should continue to provide children's congenital heart surgery. The IRP has been asked to report back by 30 April 2013.

Heart Diseases: Children

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  which organisation will now be responsible for responding to the High Court judgment in respect of the proposal by the Safe and Sustainable Review to close the Leeds Children's Heart Surgery Unit;
	(2)  whether he intends to issue guidance to (a) the Independent Reconfiguration Panel and (b) the Safe and Sustainable Review about the matters it should now consider in respect of the High Court decision on the proposal to close the Leeds Children's Heart Surgery Unit;
	(3)  whether he is satisfied by the assessment of the quality of children's heart surgery carried out by the Safe and Sustainable Review to date; and whether it will now review the new data published by the National Institute for Cardiovascular Outcomes Research;
	(4)  whether he has been advised that it is the intention of the Safe and Sustainable Review to appeal against the decision of the High Court in respect of its proposal to close the Leeds Children's Heart Surgery Unit.

Anna Soubry: The Safe and Sustainable Review of children's congenital heart services was a national health service review, independent of Government. From 1 April 2013, responsibility for the review passed to NHS England. It is for NHS England to respond to the High Court judgment. We understand that NHS England has now lodged an appeal against the Court's decision of 27 March 2013 to quash the decision made by the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts on the future location of children's congenital heart services.
	In these circumstances, and given the Safe and Sustainable review is the subject of an Independent Reconfiguration Panel review, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.

Horsemeat

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reports the Food Standards Agency has received on the number of (a) meatballs stored by IKEA in freezers after withdrawing the product because of test results showing the presence of equine DNA and (b) phenylbutazone tests IKEA has conducted on meatballs which have been stored in freezers after originally being withdrawn because of test results showing the presence of equine DNA.

Anna Soubry: IKEA has reported to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) details of the quantities of meatballs on hold in the United Kingdom following the quantification tests for horse DNA at 1% and above. As this information is commercially sensitive, and the public interest in favour of disclosure does not outweigh the public interest in withholding the detail of these reports, it is not possible to release this information.
	The FSA notes that recent media coverage of IKEA's plans to re-label and resell the meatballs containing horsemeat, subject to regulatory approval, are limited to Sweden.
	IKEA has also reported to the FSA the results of phenylbutazone (bute) testing on batches of meatballs, where quantification tests identified horse DNA present at 1% and above. IKEA has advised the FSA that all tests were negative for bute. As this information is commercially sensitive, and the public interest in favour of disclosure does not outweigh the public interest in withholding the detail of these reports, it is not possible to release this information.

Hospital Beds

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many acute beds there were by hospital in England in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13.

Anna Soubry: The available information has been placed in the Library.

Hospitals: Admissions

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many emergency and acute admissions to hospital there were by primary care trust in (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12 and (iv) 2012-13.

Anna Soubry: The available data have been placed in the Library. Hospital Episodes Statistics for admitted patient care data for 2012-13 will be published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre in November 2013 (provisional date).

Hospitals: Admissions

Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the 10 most common causes of (a) child and (b) adult emergency (i) admissions to and (ii) attendances at hospital were in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Anna Soubry: Information on the most common primary diagnoses of children and adults who attended or were admitted to hospital as an emergency patient is shown in the following tables. Final information for 2012-13 will be published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre in November 2013 for admissions and January 2014 for accident and emergency (A&E) attendances (provisional dates).
	
		
			 Activity in English national health service hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector 
			 Emergency admissions via NHS A&E departments 
			 Age group Primary diagnoses(1) 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 
			 0 to 18 years Viral infection of unspecified site 16,943 19,315 24,732 33,546 34,535 
			  Abdominal and pelvic pain 20,225 20,462 21,599 23,003 21,721 
			  Acute upper respiratory infections of multiple and unspecified sites 18,785 20,666 19,350 19,936 18,001 
			  Fracture of forearm 18,648 16,386 16,924 15,884 16,499 
			  Asthma 15,205 17,127 16,990 17,043 15,295 
			  Acute bronchiolitis 11,717 12,680 14,027 15,841 14,946 
			  Convulsions not elsewhere classified 15,293 15,497 14,341 14,345 14,127 
			  Viral and other specified intestinal infections 11,873 12,297 13,466 12,391 12,823 
			  Acute tonsillitis 9,594 9,937 10,701 12,355 12,585 
			  Other non-infective gastroenteritis and colitis 10,926 10,637 11,607 11,582 11,654 
			  Poisoning by non-opioid analgesics, antipyretics and antirheumatics 12,915 11,982 11,306 12,075 10,943 
			  Other and unspecified injuries of head 12,610 11,684 11,401 10,390 9,903 
			  Abnormalities of breathing 11,943 14,726 12,633 8,892 7,972 
			 Total emergency admissions (via A&E)  454,712 465,588 487,097 507,979 496,311 
			        
			 Over 18 years Pain in throat and chest 183,294 196,024 205,571 208,267 207,393 
			  Abdominal and pelvic pain 110,040 118,133 128,233 133,378 134,577 
			  Pneumoniaorganism unspecified 66,420 80,483 85,426 103,802 110,211 
			  Other disorders of urinary system 61,942 71,043 79,989 88,914 95,987 
			  Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 71,731 80,317 75,971 84,538 82,373 
			  Syncope and collapse 68,902 75,727 77,924 78,957 73,908 
			  Fracture of femur 60,669 61,275 63,120 63,586 64,284 
			  Angina pectoris 57,093 56,491 53,214 50,577 51,738 
			  Cerebral infarction 28,519 31,436 36,294 40,467 45,572 
			  Atrial fibrillation and flutter 37,632 39,468 41,596 42,906 44,564 
			  Unspecified acute lower respiratory infection 42,238 47,451 41,056 44,799 44,337 
			  Acute myocardial infarction 41,537 39,965 36,860 33,624 33,588 
			 Total emergency admissions (via A&E)  2,637,588 2,832,904 2,987,082 3,115,233 3,158,463 
		
	
	
		
			 Emergency admissions (excluding via NHS A&E departments) 
			 Age group Primary diagnoses(1) 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 
			 0 to 18 years Viral infection of unspecified site 16,952 19,203 24,570 29,795 26,744 
			  Acute upper respiratory infections of multiple and unspecified sites 21,125 24,048 22,876 22,652 20,512 
			  Abdominal and pelvic pain 17,444 17,387 16,022 16,783 15,070 
		
	
	
		
			  Acute bronchiolitis 12,460 13,720 14,338 15,143 14,511 
			  Viral and other specified intestinal infections 14,124 14,667 14,855 13,515 12,766 
			  Acute tonsillitis 8,938 9,690 10,391 11,320 10,954 
			  Unspecified acute lower respiratory infection 7,846 9,651 9,911 10,436 10,747 
			  Other non-infective gastroenteritis and colitis 9,617 9,982 10,076 9,049 8,925 
			  Neonatal jaundice from other and unspecified causes 7,273 8,286 7,752 8,090 8,779 
			  Asthma 7,515 8,270 7,394 7,120 6,078 
			  Abnormalities of breathing 10,282 11,666 8,358 4,766 4,077 
			  Total emergency admissions (excluding via A&E) 351,879 374,382 370,436 370,522 353,966 
			        
			 Over 18 years Abdominal and pelvic pain 59,231 59,374 60,804 60,102 56,222 
			  Pain in throat and chest 46,380 46,449 43,693 41,004 36,611 
			  Other disorders of urinary system 28,084 29,080 29,682 30,177 30,487 
			  Pneumoniaorganism unspecified 26,998 29,094 28,277 29,957 29,428 
			  Other soft tissue disorders not elsewhere classified 29,743 32,749 33,679 28,599 23,527 
			  Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 24,663 25,959 23,881 24,174 22,492 
			  Cellulitis 20,391 20,556 20,700 20,575 19,526 
			  Complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified 17,302 18,191 18,355 18,706 17,965 
			  Unspecified acute lower respiratory infection 20,455 22,099 17,990 18,632 17,669 
			  Unknown and unspecified causes of morbidity 22,260 26,268 18,657 16,677 16,469 
			  Other non-infective gastroenteritis and colitis 17,418 16,585 16,963 16,720 16,109 
			  Heart failure 18,754 17,956 17,354 16,528 15,847 
			 Total emergency admissions (excluding via A&E)  1,303,252 1,323,905 1,320,879 1,279,207 1,218,665 
		
	
	
		
			 NHS A&E attendances 
			 Age group Primary diagnoses(1) 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 
			 0 to 18 years Diagnosis not classifiable 305,492 311,267 385,856 485,095 558,209 
			  Dislocation/fracture/joint injury/amputation 195,414 196,447 222,209 232,450 259,326 
			  Laceration 191,997 198,603 206,035 183,960 218,413 
			  Sprain/ligament injury 171,856 168,913 178,813 189,452 217,209 
			  Soft tissue inflammation 131,277 137,338 148,872 165,545 188,837 
			  Contusion/abrasion 158,537 158,193 165,548 172,971 183,667 
			  Respiratory conditions 119,280 124,837 145,339 163,269 177,535 
			  Head injury 104,835 113,300 134,581 146,349 170,682 
			  Gastrointestinal conditions 103,369 102,112 118,408 126,911 145,460 
			  ENT conditions 48,401 50,488 63,770. 72,906 95,160 
			  Nothing abnormal detected 60,837 69,391 76,690 73,967 78,117 
			 Total A&E attendances  3,276,656 3,599,279 4,026,225 4,219,347 4,467,965 
			        
			 Over 18 years Diagnosis not classifiable 941,339 954,409 1,179,189 1,524,965 1,795,323 
			  Dislocation/fracture/joint injury/amputation 424,398 447,689 534,652 524,628 570,134 
			  Laceration 431,375 464,559 494,136 441,120 527,027 
			  Gastrointestinal conditions 284,955 311,241 393,114 410,847 474,813 
			  Sprain/ligament injury 363,967 361,875 406,441 407,904 473,970 
			  Soft tissue inflammation 302,195 335,247 376,327 386,918 445,873 
		
	
	
		
			  Cardiac conditions 244,046 270,111 324,502 342,531 365,946 
			  Contusion/abrasion 278,526 284,111 306,955 302,352 325,865 
			  Respiratory conditions 204,016 232,452 265,803 300,234 312,956 
			  Ophthalmological conditions 192,258 233,118 259,350 254,151 304,962 
			 Total A&E attendances  8,950,802 10,168,606 11,475,994 12,023,947 12,993,720 
			 (1) Top 10 primary diagnoses for 2011-12. Where this is different in a previous year, additional primary diagnoses have been shown to provide coverage of the top 10 for that year. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care.

Hospitals: Construction

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to Question 148422, what the reasons were for the decrease in capital investment in hospital building between 2010-11 and 2011-12.

Daniel Poulter: The capital expenditure figures provided in the answer to Question 148422 were the sum of capital investment by all national health service organisations than provided data through the Estates Return Information Collection.
	Each NHS organisation makes decisions locally on the amount of capital investment they undertake each year. The level of capital investment they make will depend on the changes to their infrastructure they wish to undertake balanced with the capital funding they have available. Information on the reasons for such local decisions are not collected centrally.

Hospitals: Waiting Lists

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of (a) the length of waiting times for spinal surgery, (b) the number of specialist spinal surgeons and (c) the number of patients waiting for emergency and routine treatment in England.

Anna Soubry: The latest provisional Hospital Episode Statistics for the period April 2012 to December 2012 show a median waiting time of 55 days from decision to admit to admission to hospital for spinal surgery.
	Information on the number of specialist spinal surgeons in England is not collected centrally. Latest data on the number of medical staff in trauma and orthopaedic surgery is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Hospital and community health services: medical and dental staff within the specialty by consultant grade 
			  England at 30 September 2010 England at 30 September 2011 England at 30 September 2012 
			  All staff Consultant (including Director of Public Health) All staff Consultant (including Director of Public Health) All staff Consultant (including Director of Public Health) 
			  No. FTE(1) No. FTE No. FTE No. FTE No. FTE No. FTE 
			 Trauma and orthopaedic surgery 5,558 5.450 1,973 1,896 5,690 5,588 2,038 1,961 5,717 5,617 2,094 2,015 
			 (1) Full time equivalent. Source: The Health and Social Care Information Centre. Medical and Dental Workforce Census 2011, 2012 and 2013 
		
	
	Latest referral to treatment waiting times data show that at the end of January 2013 there were 350,240 patients waiting for non-emergency consultant-led trauma and orthopaedics treatment in England and that 90.9 % of these patients had been waiting less than 18 weeks from referral. Information on the waiting times of patients waiting for emergency trauma and orthopaedics treatment is not available centrally.

Human Embryo Experiments

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make an assessment of (a) moral and (b) scientific issues relating to a technique for implanting donor DNA from a third party into in vitro embryos approved by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

Anna Soubry: We will carefully consider the advice about mitochondria replacement that we received on 28 March from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, following its public consultation, and will respond in due course.

Human Papillomavirus

Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many yellow card reports for the drug Cerverix were received by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in (a) 2009, (b) 2010, (c) 2011 and (d) 2012.

Norman Lamb: Reports of 'suspected' adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are collected by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Commission for Human Medicines (CHM) through the spontaneous reporting scheme, the Yellow Card scheme. The scheme collects suspected ADR reports from the whole of the United Kingdom in relation to all medicines and vaccines. Reporting to the Yellow Card scheme is voluntary for healthcare professionals and members of the public. There is however also a legal obligation for pharmaceutical companies to report all serious ADRs for their products that they are aware of.
	Between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2012 the MHRA has received a total of 5,125 United Kingdom spontaneous suspected ADR reports in association with Cervarix and the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine where the brand was not specified. The following table provides a breakdown of these reports by year.
	
		
			 Receipt year Number of reports 
			 2009 1,912 
			 2010 1,794 
			 2011 1,069 
			 2012 350 
			 Total 5125 
		
	
	It is important to note that Yellow Card reports are not proof of a side effect occurring but only a suspicion by the reporter that the vaccine may have caused the side effect. Yellow Card reports may therefore relate to true side effects of the vaccine, or they may be due to coincidental illnesses that would have occurred in the absence of vaccination.
	As with all vaccines and medicines, the MHRA continues to closely monitor the safety of HPV vaccines using all available sources of data with advice from the CHM. The benefits of HPV vaccination in protecting against cervical cancer far outweigh any known side effects.

Human Papillomavirus

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment his Department has made of the increased risk to human health through cancer following infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV); and what his policy is on the extension of an immunisation programme against HPV, particularly amongst men.

Anna Soubry: Information was updated in 2012 on the role of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in cancer and on the epidemiology of HPV-related disease presented in the Human Papillomavirus chapter of “Immunisation against infectious disease”, which is the guidance document produced by United Kingdom health departments. This publication is available on the Department's website, by searching for ‘Green Book’. Chapter 18a refers to HPV.
	The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)—the independent experts that advise Government on immunisation—keeps the eligibility criteria of all vaccination programmes under review and most recently considered the HPV immunisation programme in June 2012. In relation to the eligibility criteria for HPV immunisation, the committee's meeting minutes record:
	“The committee was presented with data on HPV infections and noted that:
	there is early evidence to suggest the HPV immunisation programme in England is lowering the number of HPV 16 and 18 infections in females in birth cohorts that have been eligible for vaccination;
	data are very limited on the prevalence of HPV infections in MSM. However, research is underway at University College London that will provide more data and an age profile of HPV prevalence;
	HPVs, particularly types 16 and 18, are associated with the majority of anal cancers as well as cervical cancers. HPVs are associated to lesser degree with penile, vaginal, vulval and head and neck cancers but HPV types 16 and 18 predominate in cancers at those sites that are HPV-reiated. Data on the impact of HPV vaccination on infection at some of these non-cervical sites is limited.
	The committee noted that the potential impact of HPV vaccination on non-cervical cancers would make the current HPV immunisation programme even more cost effective. However, it would remain the case that, given the expected effects of immunisation on HPV transmission and the indirect protection of boys that accrues from high levels of coverage of HPV vaccination in girls, vaccination of boys in addition to girls was unlikely to be cost effective. Evidence for indirect protection would continue to be evaluated by the ongoing HPV surveillance programme at the HPA. However, there may be little indirect protection of MSM from the current immunisation programme. Therefore, the impact and cost effectiveness of vaccination strategies for MSM with the offer of vaccination through general practice and/or at genitourinary medicine clinics needs to be assessed. Data on the prevalence of HPV infections in MSM by age, and in the settings where vaccination could be offered to MSM, are needed to determine the potential effectiveness and cost effectiveness of HPV vaccination of MSM. The vaccines are less effective against those with vaccine type HPV infection(s) at the time of vaccination. Additionally it would be important to understand better the rates of HPV-related disease in MSM and the influence of HPV on HIV infection. JCVI asked the HPA to undertake modelling work to assess the impact and cost effectiveness of HPV immunisation of MSM acknowledging that it may take some time to acquire the data needed and that additional modelling resources may be required.”
	The full minute of the meeting has been placed in the Library.
	The Committee will consider the modelling study requested from the Health Protection Agency (now Public Health England (PHE)) once it has been completed and provide advice. The Department, together with PHE and NHS England, will consider the JCVI's advice once it has been received.

Kidneys: Injuries

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what training is provided to NHS staff on identifying and treating acute kidney injury.

Daniel Poulter: The content and standard of healthcare training is the responsibility of the independent regulatory bodies.
	Through their role as the custodians of quality standards in education and practice, these organisations are committed to ensuring high quality patient care delivered by high quality health professionals and that healthcare professionals are equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to deal with the problems and conditions they will encounter in practice, including the treatment of acute kidney injury.
	From 1 April 2013 Health Education England is responsible for promoting high quality education and training that is responsive to the changing needs of patients and local communities and will work with stakeholders to influence training curricula as appropriate to ensure that they met both patient and service needs.

Leukaemia

Mark Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps he has taken to ensure that those diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia have access to a wide range of treatment options, including Dasatinib’
	(2)  what recent discussions he has had to ensure that those diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia have access to a wide range of treatment options, including Dasatinib.

Norman Lamb: The Mandate to NHS England clearly states the need to improve access to treatment for people when they need it.
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued technology appraisal guidance that recommends the drugs imatinib and nilotinib for use in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia. NICE guidance does not recommend dasatinib as a clinically and cost-effective use of national health service resources.
	Commissioners are under a statutory obligation to provide funding for such treatments and drugs recommended by NICE within three months of the guidance being published.
	Patients have a right under the NHS Constitution to clinically appropriate drugs and treatments recommended by NICE technology appraisal guidance.
	Since October 2010, the £650 million Cancer Drugs Fund has helped over 28,000 patients in England to access the drugs their clinicians believe will help them. NHS England has now taken on oversight of the fund, bringing even greater consistency to decision making.
	The Secretary of State for Health has had no recent discussions about this matter.

Local HealthWatch

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department's definition of a social enterprise with regard to Healthwatch organisations reflects a cross-Governmental definition of social enterprise.

Norman Lamb: The term “Social Enterprise” describes the purpose of a business, not its legal form. It is defined by Government as
	“a business with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners”.
	In the context of Local Healthwatch, section 222(8) of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 sets out that a body is a social enterprise if it could reasonably be considered to act for the benefit of the community in England and satisfies any criteria prescribed by regulations.
	Regulations 35 to 38 of the NHS Bodies and Local Authorities (Partnership Arrangements, Care Trusts, Public Health and Local Healthwatch) Regulations 2012 make related provision.
	Regulation 35 prescribes the criteria to be satisfied for a body to be a social enterprise, including criteria relating to the distribution of profits. Regulation 36 sets out certain activities of a political nature which are not to be treated as carried on for the benefit of the community. Regulation 37 makes provision about what constitutes a section of the community. Regulation 38 prescribes the criterion to be satisfied by a social enterprise and this concerns involvement of lay persons and volunteers in governance.
	In our view, these provisions together ensure that Local Healthwatch is a social enterprise spirit as well as in name. They reflect the approach to social enterprises in existing legislation and are in keeping with the Government's description of social enterprises as businesses with social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested in the business or in the community.

Macfarlane Trust

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his plans are for future funding of the Macfarlane Trust; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry: Allocations to the Macfarlane Trust are decided on an annual basis. This year we have made available an allocation of up to £2.2 million. In addition, the Trust is holding funds of about £3.5 million in reserve, which it is able to disburse to its beneficiaries.

Maternity Services: West Midlands

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the spare capacity level for birth is at (a) Heartlands Hospital, (b) Worcestershire Royal Hospital and (c) Birmingham Women's Hospital.

Daniel Poulter: The information requested is not held centrally.
	The hon. Member should approach the national health service trusts concerned respectively, which may hold the relevant information.

Medicine: Research

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on accreditation for the clinical research industry.

Daniel Poulter: The Department does not accredit the clinical research industry.

Medicine: Research

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage pharmaceutical companies to carry out clinical research in the UK.

Daniel Poulter: The Department is working with other Government Departments and engaging with the life sciences industry, including the pharmaceutical industry, to ensure that the country has the best possible environment to carry out clinical research.
	The Department has made good progress in implementing its research-related measures in the “Plan for Growth” (2011). Furthermore, the joint “Department for Business, Innovation and Skills/Department of Health Strategy for UK Life Sciences” (2011) includes a range of initiatives which together aim to support building a life sciences ecosystem, attracting, developing and rewarding the best talent, and overcoming barriers and creating incentives for the promotion of health care innovation. The Strategy highlighted the importance of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), funded by the Department, for supporting life sciences industry research.
	Through the NIHR, the Department is funding a range of infrastructure facilities including biomedical research centres and units to undertake collaborative translational research with industry, two translational research partnerships which support industry to work with the national health service and academia on a shared risk/shared reward basis, the NIHR Office for Clinical Research Infrastructure which facilitates collaborations between the NIHR-funded infrastructure and funders of research including industry, and the Clinical Research Network which supports the delivery of commercial and non-commercial studies and provides dedicated support for the life sciences industry.
	The Department established the Health Research Authority (HRA) in December 2011 to protect and promote the interests of patients and the public in health research. The HRA is working with others to streamline health research approvals and to promote consistent, proportionate standards for compliance and inspection helping to make the United Kingdom a more attractive place to undertake research.
	The Government have also introduced incentives at a local level for the initiation and delivery of research. Since autumn 2011, all new NIHR contracts include a benchmark of 70 days or less to recruit the first patient to a study and a requirement to report on delivery of research to time and target. By encouraging an improvement in performance in initiating and delivering research by the NHS, the Government intend to enhance the nation's attractiveness as a host for research.
	The Government also welcome the European Commission's proposal for a Clinical Trials Regulation to replace the Clinical Trials Directive (Directive 2001/20/EC). The Government consider that the proposal has the potential to create a more favourable environment for the conduct of clinical trials in the UK and across the European Union, making it easier to conduct trials in multiple member states. The Government are participating in negotiations across member states on the text of the Regulation.
	Other steps the Department has taken include the creation of the Clinical Practice Research Datalink providing access to anonymised patient records to support clinical trials, tools to support faster contracting such as model agreements and standard costing templates, and support to the NHS to help it improve performance for example through the Research Support Services framework.

Medirest

Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from (a) trade unions and (b) other staff representatives on the non-payment of contract staff at Chase Farm Hospital employed by Medirest under Agenda for Change; and if he will make a statement.

Daniel Poulter: A search of the Department's ministerial correspondence database has not identified any correspondence received from trade unions or other staff representatives about the non-payment of contract staff at Chase Farm Hospital employed by Medirest under Agenda for Change.

Meningococcal Disease

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to raise awareness of meningococcal group B disease.

Anna Soubry: Public Health England (PHE), an Executive agency of the Department of Health, works closely with meningitis charities, including Meningitis UK and the Meningitis Research Foundation, to support the production of literature and public awareness campaigns. PHE staff also contribute to scientific meetings to raise awareness of meningitis in health professionals. PHE collaborated with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health on two courses entitled 'How to Manage Bacterial meningitis'.
	In addition, the local Health Protection teams in PHE's centres follow up all individual cases of meningococcal infection. This involves public health management which includes raising awareness in the community and with local health professionals to ensure that both groups—patients and healthcare professionals—are aware of the signs and symptoms of infection and therefore present early for medical care.

Methadone

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of dispensing methadone from community pharmacies in terms of reducing dependence on drugs.

Anna Soubry: Community pharmacies play an integral role in local drug treatment systems by dispensing opioid substitute medicines such as methadone and sterile needles and syringes. Together these interventions are a proven way to keep blood borne viruses rates relatively low among injecting drug users. Independent research has shown that introducing supervised methadone dosing (where a pharmacist oversees the consumption of opioid substitute medicines) was followed by substantial declines in related overdose deaths.
	Drug treatment encompasses a range of treatments and services which help people overcome their dependency and reduce the physical and psychological harms caused by drugs to themselves, their families and communities. So although community pharmacies dispensing methadone are an important part of any drug treatment system, it is difficult to isolate its particular effectiveness in reducing drug dependence.
	However we know that overall the drug treatment system is helping more and more people to overcome their addiction. The latest drug treatment figures show that 29,855 successfully completed their treatment in 2011-12, compared with 11,208 in 2005-06.

Methadone

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been paid to community pharmacies to dispense methadone prescriptions in each of the last three years.

Norman Lamb: The net ingredient cost of methadone dispensed in the community in England is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Number of prescription items (thousand) Net ingredient cost (£000) 
			 2010 3,098.1 37,539.2 
			 2011 2,975.5 29,906.6 
			 2012 2,799.2 24,058.7 
			 Source: Prescription Cost Analysis provided by NHS Prescription Services 
		
	
	NHS Prescription Services is unable to provide data on how much has been paid to community pharmacies to dispense methadone prescription items as extracting information on the applicable fees for methadone prescriptions would incur a disproportionate cost.

Musculoskeletal Disorders

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence quality standard for muscular degeneration will be developed.

Norman Lamb: The topic macular degeneration is in the core library of quality standards referred to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). We understand from NICE that this topic has not yet been scheduled into its work programme as development of the quality standard is dependent on the publication of the corresponding clinical guideline from which it will be derived. The clinical guideline is currently scheduled for publication in July 2015.

National Cancer Research Institute

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what amount of funding his Department will spend on research into (a) all types of cancer, (b) site-specific cancers and (c) brain cancer in each year from 2013 to 2015;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the National Cancer Research Institute in reducing duplication in cancer research over the last 10 years;
	(3)  on which areas of research his Department expects the National Cancer Research Institute to increase its focus over the next five years.

Daniel Poulter: The Department's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) spent £104 million on cancer research in 2011-12; a figure for 2012-13 is not yet available. Expenditure in future years, including spend on research relating to brain cancer and other specific cancer sites, depends on the volume and quality of scientific activity. The usual practice of the NIHR is not to ring-fence funds for expenditure on particular topics: research proposals in all areas compete for the funding available. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including cancer. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the scientific quality of the proposals made.
	The National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) is a United Kingdom-wide partnership between the Government, charity and industry which promotes co-operation in cancer research among the 22 member organisations. The Department has made no specific assessment of the effectiveness of the NCRI in reducing duplication in cancer research over the last 10 years. The NCRI is a partner in the International Cancer Research Partnership (ICRP). The ICRP database includes research awards from all member organisations; it allows users to identify potential collaborators and avoid duplication of effort.
	Research themes for the period 2012-17 are discussed in the current NCRI strategic plan. This is available at the following link:
	www.ncri.org.uk/includes/Publications/reports/ncri_strategic_plan_2012_-_web.pdf

NHS Foundation Trusts

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals (a) have and (b) have not acquired foundation trust status.

Anna Soubry: There are currently 145 national health service foundation trusts and 102 NHS trusts in England. Some of these trusts manage more than one hospital while others, such as ambulance trusts, are not hospital based.

NHS: Crimes of Violence

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which local authority areas in England did not have a violent patient scheme in the most recent period for which information is available.

Daniel Poulter: The provision of NHS primary medical services under the violent patients' scheme was, up to 1 April 2013, the responsibility of primary care trusts (PCTs). The data requested are not routinely collected but it is possible to provide information from data, provided by PCTs, on recorded expenditure on such schemes.
	As at December 2012, 117 out of 151 PCTs operated a violent patients' scheme. A list of those PCTs with arrangements for providing primary medical services to violent patients is in the following list. From 1 April 2013, the provision of primary medical services in England became the responsibility of NHS England.
	PCTs with a violent patients' scheme prior to 1 April 2013
	PCT name
	Ashton, Leigh and Wigan PCT
	Barking and Dagenham PCT
	Barnet PCT
	Barnsley PCT
	Bassetlaw PCT
	Bath and North East Somerset
	PCT (PMS only)
	Berkshire East PCT
	Berkshire West PCT
	Bexley NHS Care Trust PCT
	Birmingham East and North PCT
	Blackburn with Darwen Teaching Care Trust Plus PCT
	Blackpool PCT
	Bournemouth and Poole Teaching PCT
	Bradford and Airedale Teaching PCT
	Brent Teaching PCT
	Brighton and Hove City Teaching PCT
	Bristol PCT
	Bromley PCT
	Buckinghamshire PCT
	Bury PCT
	Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT
	Central Lancashire PCT
	City and Hackney Teaching PCT
	Cornwall and Isles of Scilly PCT
	County Durham PCT
	Cumbria Teaching PCT
	Derby City PCT
	Derbyshire County PCT
	Devon PCT
	Doncaster PCT
	Dudley PCT
	East Lancashire Teaching PCT
	East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT
	Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT
	Gateshead PCT
	Great Yarmouth and Waveney PCT
	Greenwich Teaching PCT
	Hammersmith and Fulham PCT
	Hampshire PCT
	Haringey Teaching PCT
	Harrow PCT
	Hartlepool PCT
	Hastings and Rother PCT
	Herefordshire PCT
	Hertfordshire PCT
	Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCT
	Isle of Wight NHS PCT
	Islington PCT
	Kensington and Chelsea PCT
	Kingston PCT
	Kirklees PCT
	Knowsley PCT
	Lambeth PCT
	Leeds PCT
	Leicester City PCT
	Leicestershire County and Rutland PCT
	Lincolnshire Teaching PCT
	Liverpool PCT
	Manchester PCT
	Medway PCT
	Mid Essex PCT
	Milton Keynes PCT
	Newham PCT
	Norfolk PCT
	North East Essex PCT
	North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus PCT
	North Lancashire Teaching PCT
	North Lincolnshire PCT
	North Somerset PCT
	North Staffordshire PCT
	North Yorkshire and York PCT
	Northamptonshire Teaching PCT
	Northumberland Care PCT
	Nottingham City PCT
	Nottinghamshire County Teaching PCT
	Oldham PCT
	Oxfordshire PCT
	Peterborough PCT
	Plymouth Teaching PCT
	Portsmouth City Teaching PCT
	Redcar and Cleveland PCT
	Richmond and Twickenham PCT
	Salford PCT
	Sandwell PCT
	Sefton PCT
	Sheffield PCT
	Shropshire County PCT
	Solihull PCT
	Somerset PCT
	South Birmingham PCT
	South Staffordshire PCT
	South Tyneside PCT
	Southampton City PCT
	Southwark PCT
	Stoke on Trent PCT
	Suffolk PCT
	Sunderland Teaching PCT
	Surrey PCT
	Sutton and Merton PCT
	Swindon PCT
	Tameside and Glossop PCT
	Telford and Wrekin PCT
	Torbay PCT
	Tower Hamlets PCT
	Trafford PCT
	Walsall Teaching PCT
	Waltham Forest PCT
	Warrington PCT
	Warwickshire PCT
	West Essex PCT
	West Kent PCT
	West Sussex PCT
	Westminster PCT
	Wiltshire PCT
	Wirral PCT
	Wolverhampton City PCT
	Worcestershire PCT

NHS: Finance

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with his counterparts in the devolved assemblies to ensure that NHS funding formula is used effectively for those who are vulnerable and elderly.

Daniel Poulter: Officials of the Scottish and Northern Irish devolved Administrations are members of the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation's (ACRA) Technical Advisory Group (TAG). ACRA is an independent expert committee that is responsible for developing formulae to support the distribution NHS funding to clinical commissioning groups and to upper tier local authorities for their public health responsibilities. Until January 2012 the Welsh Assembly was also represented on ACRA.
	Departmental officials have presented ACRA's recommendations to the Scottish Government's Technical Advisory Group on Resource Allocation.
	Membership of ACRA and TAG is being reviewed to ensure it is fit for purpose, including ensuring an effective interchange of ideas between the countries of the United Kingdom.

NHS: Reorganisation

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision is made for patient representation to the NHS under his planned reforms.

Daniel Poulter: NHS England is committed to putting patients and their carers at the centre of everything it does. Patients, their relatives and carers, as well as patient groups, voluntary organisations and other representatives, have been heavily involved in helping to design and make decisions on key policy areas within NHS England to date. This will continue and strengthen as NHS England takes on its full responsibilities.
	NHS England will develop a strategy to ensure that patients, are included in strategic decision-making, in partnership with voluntary organisations and other key partners, later this year.
	Healthwatch is the new, independent, consumer champion for health and social care. Local Healthwatch organisations will give citizens and communities a stronger voice to influence and challenge how health and social care services are delivered. As a member of the health and wellbeing board, Local Healthwatch will ensure that what matters to local people is at the heart of the local decision-making processes. Local Healthwatch will gather views and experiences from local people on their health and care services and present this evidence to commissioners and providers of local services.
	Healthwatch England, using evidence from local Healthwatches and other sources, will provide advice to the Secretary of State for Health, NHS England, Monitor, the Care Quality Commission and English local authorities.
	Getting feedback from patients and using it to improve services is an important responsibility of all organisations providing NHS services. From 1 April 2013, the Friends and Family Test is now allowing all patients using acute inpatient and accident and emergency services to rate the care they received. Results will allow hospitals to be more responsive, patients to compare services and commissioners and the public to hold services to account.

NHS: Reorganisation

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital trusts are subject to merger.

Anna Soubry: Foundation trusts are autonomous organisations and Monitor has been formally consulted in relation to the proposed mergers for Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch NHS Foundation Trust and Poole NHS Foundation Trust; Medway NHS Foundation Trust with Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust; Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Princess Royal Hospital (part of South London NHS Trust).
	The Trust Development Authority (TDA) is currently assessing the 2013-14 plans submitted by all NHS trusts. There are a number of NHS trusts where the current working assumption is that some organisational transaction, including the merger model, is likely to be required to support securing high quality services for local people. These are:
	Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust
	Ealing Hospital NHS Trust
	Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust
	George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust
	North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust
	North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust
	North West London Hospitals NHS Trust
	Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust
	South London Healthcare NHS Trust (new organisational form instigated via the unsustainable provider regime)
	West Middlesex University NHS Trust
	Weston Area Health NHS Trust
	Subject to the TDA determining that these NHS trusts will proceed upon an organisational transaction, there will then be a number of stages to effect the change including the necessary stakeholder consultation.

NHS: Reorganisation

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many clinical commissioning bodies there will be from 1 April 2013.

Anna Soubry: There are 211 clinical commissioning groups (CCGs). CCGs will commission the majority of healthcare services except for specialised services and primary care, which will be commissioned by NHS England.

NHS: Reorganisation

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to promote cohesion and collaboration between clinical commissioning groups.

Anna Soubry: The National Health Service Act 2006 as amended by the Health and Social Care Act 2012 allows for clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to cooperate, delegate and share some of their commissioning functions with other groups by entering into joint or lead commissioning arrangements.
	NHS England is responsible for supporting CCGs and holding them to account for improving patient outcomes. It has worked with CCGs during their development and establishment to ensure that they have robust collaborative arrangements in place for working with other CCGs and local authorities. CCGs will not be able to take on their full commissioning functions until NHS England is satisfied that they have met this key criterion. NHS England will continue to work with CCGs to ensure the commissioning of services is carried out effectively and encourage collaborative arrangements between CCGs where appropriate.

NHS: Work Experience

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for which healthcare professionals his Department is considering the introduction of compulsory work experience before they receive NHS funding for their training.

Daniel Poulter: The initial Government response to the report of The Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry, “Patients First and Foremost”, outlines how pilot schemes will be developed; primarily for potential nursing students, to undertake up to a year's work placement as a healthcare assistant to better prepare them for the demands of a national health service funded training programme and subsequent career as part of the NHS workforce.
	Health Education England, the new national body responsible for NHS workforce development and training, are currently working with key partners to develop a pilot programme.

Northern Ireland

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with the Health Minister in the Northern Ireland Executive.

Anna Soubry: The Under-Secretary of State for Health, my hon. Friend the Member for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich (Dr Poulter), along with officials from the Department, met the Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning), on 4 February.
	Officials from the Department discuss a wide variety of policy areas with colleagues in Northern Ireland as appropriate. These policy areas include rare diseases, genomics/genetics, immunisation and sexual health.

Nurses

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to provide employment opportunities in the NHS to accommodate the expected increase in short-term healthcare assistants once changes to nursing training are introduced.

Daniel Poulter: Health Education England will initially be piloting pre-degree work experience. Evaluation from the pilots will indicate any impacts on the health care support worker workforce.

Opiates

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of (a) the relative mortality risks and (b) the relative risks associated with misuse and diversion of the use of methadone and buprenorphine in medically assisted treatment for opioid dependence.

Anna Soubry: It is the role of each responsible clinician to decide which drug is clinically most appropriate for the treatment for opioid dependence following careful assessment of, and discussion with each client. It expected that these decisions should be in line with clinical guidance. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines recommended the use of both methadone and buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid dependence, but made clear the need for clinicians, to make sure that each patient is aware of all the risks associated with this treatment, both to themselves and to others.
	Clinical guidelines for drug treatment recommend that most new patients being prescribed methadone or buprenorphine should take their daily doses supervised by a pharmacist (or other professional) for around three months. One of the key reasons for this practice is to reduce diversion of substitute drugs into the illegal market. It has also been shown to reduce drug-related deaths. The responsible clinician can decide to relax, stop, or re-start supervised consumption depending on their patient's progress in tackling their drug dependency.

Organs: Donors

Sarah Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) liver, (b) heart and (c) kidney donations have been made to private patients from (i) across the UK, (ii) EU nations and (iii) non-EU nations at King's College Hospital in the last five years.

Anna Soubry: This information is not collected centrally.
	The offering process for organs donated in the United Kingdom is specified in NHS Directions, given to NHS Blood and Transplant by the Secretary of State, specifically in paragraph 4 of the NHS Blood and Transplant (England) Directions 2005 and associated guidance.
	All organs donated in the UK are first offered to national health service-entitled patients based on clinical need. This means people who are ordinarily resident in the UK; that is people who are lawfully living in the UK voluntarily and for settled purpose as part of their regular order of their life. It may also include certain persons who are entitled under European Union law and residents of non-European Union countries with whom the UK has bilateral health agreements.
	Only if the organs are rejected by all designated transplant units for NHS-entitled patients are organs then offered to non-NHS entitled patients.
	Once entitlement is established and the organ allocated, arrangements may be made for the actual surgery to be undertaken on a private basis. The Buggins review ‘Allocation of Organs to Non-UK EU Residents’, published in July 2009, found no evidence that people having their transplant as a private patient were allocated an organ more quickly.
	Donated organs save lives, and while priority is given to NHS entitled patients, when there is no such patient for an organ the use of it for a non-NHS entitled patient is allowed in order to save a life and avoid the organ being wasted.
	My hon. Friend may wish to seek further information from Kings College Hospital directly.

Paramedical Staff

Therese Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will add paramedic and paramedic trainers to those eligible for the NHS bursary scheme.

Daniel Poulter: The NHS bursary scheme was established to provide support to students undertaking courses leading to professional registration. Paramedic trainers would not currently meet this criteria so can not be considered for a NHS bursary.
	The Department has implemented an annual process to enable consideration of new professions who wish to be included in the NHS bursary scheme. Paramedic practice is one of the professions currently being considered and we expect to take a decision on this shortly.
	The Council of the College of Paramedics has commissioned a project which will include the development of a business case for fair access to funding support. This will inform the decisions about whether paramedic students should receive a bursary.

Pay

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria are used in (a) his Department and (b) each public body for which he is responsible to determine which officials receive bonus payments.

Daniel Poulter: The Department awards non-consolidated performance related payments that broadly fall into two categories: end-year payments (Performance Related Pay) and in-year special payments. Both end-year and in-year non-consolidated performance related payments are an integral element of the Department's reward strategy in rewarding excellent performance.
	‘End-year’ payments are made available to the top 25% highest performing civil servants in the senior civil service (SCS) and the delegated grades Administration Office to Grade 6 (AO-G6), in recognition of outstanding performance in delivering the Department's objectives throughout the year. Payments are assessed following the Department's annual performance appraisal process.
	In the delegated grades (AO-G6) only ‘In-year’ payments can be awarded by the Department to recognise outstanding performance on a specific task or project which would not necessarily be reflected by an 'end-year' payment.
	In relation to the criteria used to determine which officials receive bonus payment the Department's non-departmental public bodies have provided the following information in the table.
	
		
			 Name of Organisation Response 
			 Care Quality Commission CQC does not have contractual guaranteed bonus arrangements or payments in place for any employees. For those within the Very Senior Manager group, to determine whether a bonus is paid, the Departmental Pay Framework and yearly guidance is referred to in determining whether a payment could be paid and to which eligible post holders. Whether the payment is actually made is a decision for the Chief Executive and the CQC Remuneration Committee dependant upon organisational and individual performance. For all other employees CQC applies the principles in the annual pay remit to determine if a payment could be paid. In determining whether a payment is actually made the CQC Remuneration Committee agrees the approach, based on the individual Performance Development Review ratings. This approach is then negotiated with the trade unions. 
			 NHS England NHS England will have flexibility within the DH Pay Framework for Very Senior Managers in Arm's Length Bodies to consider awarding a performance-related bonus to very senior managers meeting the criteria set out in the-framework. For other staff NHS England will have flexibility within the Agenda for Change guidelines relating to pay arrangements. 
		
	
	
		
			 Health and Social Care Information Centre The only bonus scheme (i.e. non-consolidated performance payment) operated by the HSCIC is that available under the terms of the Very Senior Manager (VSM) Pay Framework and we apply the criteria set out in paragraphs 46 to 54 of that Framework. In summary, these are that: The organisation must have met its financial control target The individual concerned is judged to be performing at Category A (Outstanding) or Category B (Exceeds Expectations A maximum of 5% of basic pay may be awarded to the top 25% of performers among VSMs in the organisation 
			 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority The following criteria for bonus payments apply to all HFEA staff (1) Special bonus (non-consolidated performance payment): a small non-consolidated bonus payment which may be paid to HFEA staff to recognise specific achievements within the year. (2) Year-end non-consolidated performance payment-based on the following criteria: Outstanding Performer (Box marking 1): This will be someone who has had a significant positive impact upon the organisation as a whole, and that as such their performance has consistently been high both across the full range of their objectives and job requirements, and in relation to corporate ways of working and behaviours Good Performer (Box marking 2): This will be someone who has performed well in their job during the past year, both technically and behaviourally. They have met most or all of their objectives, have achieved what is necessary for their role and contributed to the organisation's corporate aims. 
			 Human Tissue Authority The HTA would seek approval from the Authority to pay staff a discretionary bonus, where a substantial piece of work has been completed. 
			 Monitor Monitor does not award 'bonuses' in the conventional sense. Rather, where individuals go above and beyond what is set out in their objectives in a way that may be unexpected and unplanned Monitor may consider giving an exceptional payment. For example for: one off exceptional pieces of work in addition to the day to day role that added significant value to the organisation; or an individual who steps in to fill the gap left by someone who falls ill or has left the organisation leaving a role to be covered and in doing so takes on additional responsibilities and commitments which are not otherwise rewarded. These exceptional payments are awarded to a maximum of £1,000. The payment is non consolidated and non pensionable and subject to usual tax and National Insurance deductions. 
		
	
	
		
			 National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Under the terms of the Department's Very Senior Manager (VSM) Pay Scheme, NICE directors with an 'outstanding performance' or one that ‘exceeds expectations’ are eligible for a bonus payment and only the top 25% of VSMs eligible for a bonus may receive one.

Pharmacy

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the designation of pharmacies as buildings for the provision of healthcare for the purpose of determining business rates; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Lamb: No such discussions have taken place.

Pharmacy

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to promote public awareness of healthcare services available at community pharmacists; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Lamb: National health service community pharmacies provide essential advice, support and care for the public and have an important role in helping achieve the best clinical outcomes for patients. NHS pharmacies are required under their contractual terms and conditions to publicise the range of NHS services they offer. They actively take part in national and local public health campaigns on specific health issues to raise public awareness.
	Since April 2013, responsibility for the commissioning of NHS pharmaceutical services has been transferred to NHS England, while responsibility for public health services now rests with local authorities.
	We expect that all these bodies will want to ensure that their local populations are aware of the wide ranging services delivered through community pharmacies.

Prescriptions

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS prescription fines have been levied for employment and support allowance recipients unable to accurately complete NHS prescription exemption forms.

Daniel Poulter: The information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Property

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many sites owned by the NHS and his Department have no clinical function; and what the location and book value is of each such site.

Daniel Poulter: The information requested is not collected centrally in relation to NHS sites.
	There are 29 sites on the Department's asset register owned by the Department of Health with no clinical function. Their locations and current values are as follows:
	
		
			   Land (£) Buildings (£) 
			 1 Richmond House 47,500,000 29,500,000 
			 2 Wellington House 20,000,000 22,500,000 
			 3 Land at Bridlington Road, Driffield 20,000 — 
			 4 Land at Broadgates, Beverley 15,000 — 
			 5 Land at Hellingly 550,000 — 
			 6 Land at Harps Close Meadow, Sudbury 1,100,000 — 
			 7 Land at Michingan Way, Totton 487,500 — 
			 8 Warneford Meadow, Oxford 486,500 — 
			 9 Land at Bucknall Hospital, Bucknall 75,000 — 
			 10 Land at Bob Dunn Way, Dartford 850,000 — 
			 11 Land at Alexandra Hospital, Redditch 1,000,000 — 
			 12 Land at Lea Castle Hospital, Kidderminster 520,000 — 
			 13 Part Little Plumstead Hospital, Norwich 2,575,000 — 
			 14 Former Meacham Clinic, Milton Keynes 380,000 — 
			 15 Part Kingsley Green, Radlett 12,483,250 — 
			 16 Melbourne House, Derby 200,000 198,500 
			 17 Land at Princess Royal Hospital, Telford 200,000 — 
			 18 Land at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, Shrewsbury 1,950,000 — 
			 19 Warwick Cottage, Melton Mowbray 49,000 26,000 
			 20 Land at Elmfield Way. London 1,670,000 — 
			 21 Land at former Napsbury Hospital, Napsbury 75,000 — 
			 22 Land at Rooley Avenue, Bradford 2,750,000 — 
			 23 Land at Marshalls Cross Road, St Helens 400,000 — 
			 24 Land at Brierton, Hartlepool 3,000 — 
			 25 Land at Wharfedale 2,000 — 
			 26 Land at St Mary's Park Approach, Leeds 2,510 — 
			 27 Land at Darklands Road, Swadlicote 10,000 — 
			 28 Land at Mickleover, Derby 10,000 — 
			 29 Land at Wigginton Road, Tamworth 5,000 — 
			  Total 95,368,760 52,224,500 
		
	
	Richmond House and Wellington House are used to deliver the Department's operations. The other sites are owned by the Department and a disposal strategy is in place for each of them. Some of these sites have buildings, but as they are non-operational and the value lies in the land for asset value purposes, so there is only an asset value for the land. Work is ongoing in the Department to rationalise the estates portfolio as part of the Government drive to create efficiency savings.

Prostate Cancer

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many clinical nurses specialising in prostate cancer there are in each clinical commissioning group.

Daniel Poulter: The current number of specialist prostate cancer nurses employed by the national health service is not collected centrally and is not available at clinical commissioning group level.
	The latest census data as at 30 September 2012 were published on 21 March and are available from the Health and Social Care Information Centre at:
	www.hscic.gov.uk/
	The census does not identify specialist prostate cancer nurses separately but does identify qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff employed by the NHS.
	The Government have supported the development of a range of specialist roles within nursing. It is for local NHS organisations with their knowledge of the health care needs of their local population to invest in training for specialist skills and to deploy specialist nurses. In this context, the Government recognise that more should be done by some local health care organisations to prioritise preventative care and better support for patients in their own homes and communities. Specialist nurses can play an important role in this which can both save the NHS money and, more importantly, provide better care for patients.

Radiotherapy

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 13 March 2013, Official Report, column 248W, on Radiotherapy, how much funding the National Institute for Health Research provided for clinical trials in this year; and which trials are being funded.

Daniel Poulter: Figures for total annual expenditure by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) on clinical trials are not available. Clinical trials are funded through a number of NIHR programmes including the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme. Total spend on HTA in 2011-12 was £48.5 million. Support for clinical trials through the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) and other funding streams for research infrastructure cannot be disaggregated from total expenditure on this infrastructure. In 2011-12, the CRN spent a total of £301.3 million, and pledged research delivery support to 1,307 clinical trials and other well-designed studies. Details of trials and studies hosted by the CRN are available on the CRN website at:
	http://england.ukcrn.org.uk/

Radiotherapy

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 13 March 2013, Official Report, column 248W, on Radiotherapy, whether the National Institute for Health Research is funding any stereotactic body radiotherapy clinical trials.

Daniel Poulter: Through the National Institute for Health Research's (NIHR) Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme, the NIHR has commissioned a seven-year trial of stereotactic radiotherapy for wet age-related macular degeneration.
	The UK Clinical Research Network has supported a study of intensity-modulated radiotherapy using a Tomotherapy Hi Art machine funded by the Royal College of Radiologists, which is currently in follow-up.
	The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including stereotactic body radiotherapy. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition.

Recruitment

Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on advertising job vacancies in (a) 2005, (b) 2006, (c) 2007, (d) 2008 and (e) 2009.

Daniel Poulter: The Department did not have a central recruitment team for civil servants in the delegated grades (administration officer to grade 6) until 2008-09. Recruitment prior to this period was carried out by the individual human resource teams that were in operation at that time.
	Therefore expenditure for advertising job vacancies during the financial years 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08 is not available. Expenditure for 2008-09 and 2009-10 can be found in the following table:
	
		
			 Delegated grades advertising costs 
			 Financial year £ 
			 2009-10 140,524 
			 2008-09 268,325 
		
	
	Expenditure for advertising senior civil service (SCS) appointments within the Department can be found in the following table:
	
		
			 SCS advertising costs 
			 Financial year £ 
			 2009-10 13,581.73 
			 2008-09 88,829.96 
			 2007-08 11,926.61 
			 2006-07 209,385.3 
			 2005-06 309,577.77

School Milk

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 6 March 2013, Official Report, column 1086W, on school milk, 
	(1)  if he will publish all externally commissioned or received advice relating to the decision to return £2,641,271.08 to the European Commission in European School Milk Subsidies in 2010;
	(2)  by whom the decision to return £2,641,271.08 to the European Commission in European School Milk Subsidies in 2010 was approved; and on what date that decision was taken;
	(3)  what form the assessment on compliance of childcare settings with EU requirements for European School Milk Subsidies took; what organisation undertook the assessment of compliance; on what grounds the settings were found to be non-compliant; and if he will publish full details of those assessments;
	(4)  what (a) legal and (b) other formal advice was sought or received by his Department in relation to the decision to return £2,641,271.08 to the European Commission in European School Milk Subsidies.

Daniel Poulter: In 2008, on behalf of the child care providers, the Nursery Milk Reimbursement Unit (NMRU, run by MRM Ltd) started making claims for the EU School Milk Subsidy. Following legal advice, an internal decision was made and was mutually agreed between the Department of Health and the Rural Payments Agency (RPA—the paying agency for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) that no more claims should be made and the Department of Health should refund any payments received previously on the EU School Milk Subsidy. The Department of Health then instructed MRM/NMRU to stop claiming the EU School Milk Subsidy after April 2010. In January 2011 RPA formally wrote to MRM to instigate the actual repayment of the subsidy received.
	The assessment of compliance with the EU School Milk Scheme regulations was made by the RPA as part of their ongoing and routine on-the-spot inspections regime. There was no externally commissioned or received advice relating to this. The Department of Health does not plan to publish all the inspection reports but can summarise the grounds on which the child care providers were found to be non-compliant with these regulations, which included:
	a lack of records being kept such as invoices, credit notes and receipts for milk claimed;
	insufficient evidence of pupil numbers in daily attendance and of the number of days that these establishments were open;
	lack of evidence to show that milk for which subsidy was claimed was not used in the preparation of meals (where meals were prepared); and
	the failure of child care settings to display the required EU School Milk Scheme poster.
	Due to ongoing concerns about the level of non-compliance at the outset of the Department of Health seeking to modernise the Nursery Milk Scheme, legal advice was obtained that indicated, given the circumstances at the time, that the Department of Health should refund any payments received previously. An internal decision was taken in 2010 and it was mutually agreed between the Department of Health and the RPA to refund the EU School Milk Subsidy.
	The RPA wrote on 24 January 2011 to Multi Resource Marketing Ltd (MRM) who operates the Nursery Milk Scheme on the Department of Health's behalf to instigate the actual repayment of subsidy received.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to tackle increases in the number of those over 50 who have sexually transmitted diseases; and what steps he is taking to educate that generation on good sexual health practices.

Anna Soubry: The Government's ambition for sexual health is set out in their Framework for Sexual Health Improvement in England. This makes clear the importance of good sexual health and well-being for people of all ages and across the life course. The Framework acknowledges the increase in sexually transmitted infections in those over 50 years and stresses the importance of this age group understanding how to protect themselves against risks that may affect their sexual health. From 1 April 2013, the majority of sexual health services become the responsibility of local authorities. Each local authority will commission sexual health services based upon the needs of its community, including services which meet the needs of people aged over 50.

Sleep Apnoea

David Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to improve awareness and treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea.

Anna Soubry: Improving outcomes for people with respiratory disease is a key priority for this Government. It is specifically covered in both the Public Health and NHS Outcomes Frameworks, against which NHS England will need to demonstrate progress.
	It will be for the newly appointed National Clinical Director for Respiratory Disease, Professor Mike Morgan, to advise on whether additional specific initiatives are needed to promote best practice for people with obstructive sleep apnoea.

Social Services

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many care providers the Care Quality Commission has (a) fined and (b) closed in each of the last five years.

Norman Lamb: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and adult social care providers in England. All providers of regulated activities have to register with the CQC and meet a set of essential requirements of safety and quality. As the CQC is independent, it is responsible for assessing whether providers are meeting the registration requirements and, if the provider is not, for determining the enforcement action it takes against the provider. The CQC has provided the following information:
	During 2012-13, the CQC issued fixed penalty notices to two registered providers and one fixed penalty notice to a registered manager (not a provider). No fines were imposed in earlier years. The provision for the CQC to issue fines under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 came into effect in 2010. There was no previous mechanism for the regulator to issue fines to registered persons, as only the courts could do so under the former legislation, the Care Standards Act 2000.
	The following tables show the number of cancellations of registration under the Care Standards Act 2000 and the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
	
		
			 Cancellations of registrations by type of organisation under Care Standards Act 2000 
			  Number of services (locations not providers) 
			 2008-09(1)  
			 Social Care 9 
			   
			 2009-10  
			 Social Care 11 
			 Independent Healthcare 5 
		
	
	
		
			 Total 16 
			   
			 2010-11(2)  
			 Social Care 9 
			 Independent Healthcare 1 
			 Total 10 
			 (1) From Commission for Social Care Inspection annual report 2008-09. (2) 1 April 2010 to 30 September 2010. 
		
	
	
		
			 Number of cancellations of registration under Health and Social Care Act 2008 
			 Financial year Provider type/sector Number of providers with enforced deregistrations Number of locations operated by these providers 
			 2010-11 Social Care 1 1 
			 Total  1 1 
			     
			 2011-12 Social Care 8 9 
			  Independent Healthcare 1 1 
			 Total  9 10 
			     
			 2012-13 Social Care 61 78 
			  Independent Healthcare 3 7 
			  Primary Dental 6 6 
			  Independent Ambulance 4 4 
			 Total  74 95 
			 Note: The figures represent the number of registrations cancelled by the CQC. They do not include cases where the CQC has found concerns and providers or managers have either cancelled their registration or sold their business.

Social Services

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many official complaints the Care Quality Commission has received in each of the last five years; and of those how many (a) were and (b) were not upheld.

Norman Lamb: Under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) does not have responsibility for investigating specific complaints about providers. The CQC has a complaints procedure for complaints about its own processes. The CQC has provided the following information.
	The CQC complaints procedure has two stages. Stage 1 of the procedure is intended to be resolved locally and is the responsibility of line management within each CQC directorate. In the event of dissatisfaction with a stage 1 response, complainants can request a stage 2 review by the specialist CQC corporate complaints team. The corporate complaints team will only consider a complaint at stage 2 after it has been through stage 1. If the complainant remains dissatisfied after stage 2, they can raise their concerns with the parliamentary and health service ombudsman. To date, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman has not upheld any complaints about the CQC.
	Prior to April 2011, the CQC did not collect the outcomes for stage 1 complaints centrally and that information is not available. Since April 2011, the CQC corporate complaints team has recorded the outcomes for stage 1 complaints as either 'upheld' or 'not upheld'.
	
		
			 Stage 1 complaints to the Care Quality Commission 
			  Number of stage 1 complaints received Number of stage 1 complaints upheld Number of stage 1 complaints not upheld 
			 2009-10 71 n/a n/a 
			 2010-11 114 n/a n/a 
			 2011-12 448 27 421 
			 2012-13 382 24 358 
		
	
	The reporting outcomes for stage 2 complaints are recorded as ‘upheld’, ‘not upheld’ or ‘partially upheld’.
	
		
			 Stage 2 complaints to the Care Quality Commission 
			  Number of stage 2 complaints received Number of stage 2 complaints upheld Number of stage 2 complaints not upheld 
			 2009-10 39 5 (of which, 2 were partially upheld) 34 
			 2010-11 51 12 (of which, 5 were partially upheld) 39 
			 2011-12 47 11 (of which, 3 were partially upheld) 36 
			 2012-13 76 (2 in progress) 6 (of which, 3 were partially upheld) 68 
			 Notes: 1. Information for 2008-09 is not available because the CQC was not operational until April 2009. 2. Figures for 2012-13 are as at February 2013. 3. Information extracted from CQC public annual reports for each year up to 2011-12.

Social Services

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when he last met the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to discuss better integration of health and social care;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the effect of reductions in adult social care provision on hospital admissions; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Lamb: Since he joined the Department on 4 September 2012, the Secretary of State for Health has had no meetings with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to discuss better integration of health and social care. However, meetings have taken place between the two Departments at official level.
	We have made no assessment of the relationship between adult social care provision and the number of hospital admissions. We know that the last Spending Review provided local government with a challenging settlement. This is why we took the decision to prioritise adult social care by allocating substantial additional funding, up to £1 billion per annum by 2014-15 within the national health service, to specifically benefit social care and improve health outcomes. In addition, we have made additional investments in priority services such as £300 million per annum between 2012 and 2015 for reablement services, and a £100 million one-off allocation to primary care trusts in December 2012, for transfer to local authorities to help reduce delayed transfers of care.
	Health and Wellbeing Boards will provide local system leadership through integrating local commissioning and overseeing the development of local joint health and wellbeing strategies, which set out what the NHS and local authorities can do individually and collectively to deliver seamless care, improve outcomes and reduce health inequalities.

Staff

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many days of work were carried out by officials in (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on average in each of the last five years; and what the total salary cost was of officials in each year.

Daniel Poulter: The Department's civil servants are contracted to work a minimum (over a five-day week) of 41 hours in London or 42 hours elsewhere, including daily meal breaks of one hour. Senior civil servants are also required to work additional hours that are reasonable and necessary for the efficient performance of their duties.
	Civil servants also work a total of 225 days per year excluding weekends, annual leave, public holidays and privilege leave entitlements.
	The total salary costs for the Department's officials in each of the last five years can be found in the following table:
	
		
			 Annual total salary costs 2008-09 to 2012-13 
			  £ 
			 2012-13 132,827,979 
			 2011-12 143,472,775 
			 2010-11 155,361,216 
			 2009-10 151,924,954 
			 2008-09 141,076,639 
			 Note: Total salary costs include salary, allowances, overtime, bonuses, pension contributions and national insurance contributions. Source: Department of Health Payroll System 
		
	
	Information in relation to how many days of work were carried out by its officials and the total salary costs for the Department's non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) and Agency has been placed in the Library.

Surgery

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many abdominoplasty operations have been carried out by the NHS in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry: Information on the number of abdominoplasty(1) operations carried out by the NHS in each of the last five years for which figures are available(2) is shown in the following table.
	(1) OPCS-4 codes for Abdominoplasty; S02.1 Abdominoplasty
	(2) Assessing growth through time (In-patients)
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care.
	
		
			  Finished consultant episodes(1)(,2) 
			 2007-08 1,589 
			 2008-09 1,550 
			 2009-10 1,528 
			 2010-11 1,235 
			 2011-12 986 
			 (1) Finished Consultant Episode (FCE) FCE is a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which they end. Figures do not represent the number of different patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the same stay in hospital or in different stays in the same year. (2) Number of episodes with a (named) main or secondary procedure The number of episodes where the procedure (or intervention) was recorded in any of the 24 (12 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and four prior to 2002-03) procedure fields in a HES record. A record is only included once in each count, even if the procedure is recorded in more than one procedure field of the record. Note that more procedures are carried out than episodes with a main or secondary procedure. For example, patients under going a ‘cataract operation’ would tend to have at least two procedures—removal of the faulty lens and the fitting of a new one—counted in a single episode. Data quality: HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts in England and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. Health and Social Care Information Centre liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.

Telephone Services

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2013, Official Report, column 534W, on telephone services, whether a UK landline number beginning with 01, 02 or 03 is publicly available as an alternative to the 0800, 0808 and 0845 numbers in use by his Department and the agencies for which he is responsible.

Daniel Poulter: There are no alternative numbers for the 0800, 0808 and 0845 numbers in use in the Department and its Executive agencies, Public Health England and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

Tobacco: Retail Trade

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost to date has been of the consultation on standardised packaging for tobacco products; and what the cost was of each previous consultation on this subject.

Anna Soubry: The consultation on standardised packaging of tobacco products ran between April and August 2012. There were many thousands of responses to the consultation and a summary report will be published in due course.
	Information is not collected on the cost of departmental staff time associated with this consultation. The following additional costs are directly relevant to the standardised packaging consultation:
	typesetting and printing the consultation document—£4,563 (excluding VAT);
	translating the consultation document into four languages—£2,153 (excluding VAT); and
	analysis of the consultation responses—£50,000 (excluding VAT).
	There have not been any previous consultations on standardised packaging, although it was included as one aspect of the wide ranging 2008 consultation on the future of tobacco control.

Transplant Surgery

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department takes to ensure that UK residents who have an organ transplant (a) in the UK and (b) overseas only receive organs for which consent to their use was provided.

Anna Soubry: There is a robust legal framework in place in the United Kingdom. The Human Tissue Act (2004) provides that before organs are removed for transplantation, appropriate consent must be obtained. This legislation applies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Similar legislation is in place in Scotland and is set out in the Human Tissue (Scotland) Act 2006. The European Union Organ Donation Directive, which came into force in the UK on 27 August 2012, also requires valid consent to unpaid and altruistic donation. It is a requirement that all organ removal and organ transplantation is reported and recorded, and all transplant centres licensed.
	All living organ donations in the UK are closely regulated by the Human Tissue Authority in line with legislation.
	UK citizens may travel to less well-regulated countries to seek an organ transplant if they wish, although very few choose to do so. UK physicians advise against this as consent to the use of organs cannot be guaranteed.

Visits Abroad

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's budget was for overseas travel for officials and Ministers in 2012-13.

Daniel Poulter: The Department's overseas travel spend for 2012-13 totalled £376,004.91. There is no separate budget for overseas travel.

Visual Impairment

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many referrals to secondary care were made for patients experiencing problems with their vision by (a) GPs, (b) optometrists and (c) other health care professionals in each primary care trust in the latest period for which figures are available.

Daniel Poulter: This information is not held in the format requested.
	A table listing first out-patient appointments by source of referral and by primary care trust has been placed in the Library. This is not exactly the same as individual patient referrals, as the same person may have attended more than one out-patient appointment in the same period.